Migrant Tourism Entrepreneurs in Rural Norway

This paper examines the characteristics and motivations of migrant tourism entrepreneurs in peripheral rural areas of Norway. Based on semi-structured interviews, the study explores eight cases of Norwegian and foreign nationals who had relocated at different life stages. The respondents were asked about their migration decision-making, location choice, business start-up or acquisition, and entry into the tourism industry. Although the respondents expressed a range of motivations for becoming entrepreneurs in the tourism industry, lifestyle factors were prevalent in a majority of the migration accounts. Moreover, it was revealed that life stage, migration unit, and previous experience with self-employment influenced motivations and decision-making. Some of the novice entrepreneurs described their start-ups as accidental and attempted to distance themselves from the role of business owner.