Research Note Mental Health and Well-being of Tourism Entrepreneurs During Times of Crisis

Abstract

This research note reports on the preliminary findings of tourism entrepreneurs' mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health and well-being have ramifications for entrepreneurial motivations and actions, as well as impacting the economic and social environment at a tourism destination. The study examines the extent to which tourism entrepreneurs' "human capital"—education, prior start-up experience, and entrepreneurship training and qualifications—can support mental health and well-being. Responses from a survey of 138 homestay business operators in Wuyuan, China reveal that prior start-up experience has a significant positive effect on well-being, whereas entrepreneurship specific training or qualifications have a significant effect on supporting mental health. Findings also suggest gender is a discriminating variable with female business owners rating their mental health and well-being significantly worse than male business owners' ratings. The findings present insights for policy makers in supporting the capabilities and resilience of tourism entrepreneurs and for the sustainability of tourism destinations.