Entrepreneurship Beyond Barriers: Women's Tourism Ventures in Dolpa, Nepal

Abstract

This study examines women's tourism entrepreneurship in Dolpa, Nepal, one of the world's most remote districts, where isolation, institutional voids, and patriarchal structures create barriers to entrepreneurial action. Through analysis of interviews with 23 women tourism entrepreneurs and 5 key informants from local government, the research explores how women navigate constraints to establish tourism ventures including homestays and handicrafts. Using Theory of Planned Behavior, feminist entrepreneurship theory, and sustainable entrepreneurship models, the study reveals women's adaptive capacity through bricolage strategies and kinship networks. Despite lacking formal credit and infrastructure, participants established viable micro-ventures driven by economi necessity. Findings show multidimensional empowerment: economic gains through income generation; social empowerment via enhanced decision-making; and psychological growth through increased self-efficacy. However, achievements remain fragile due to income volatility, capital scarcity, and infrastructural deficits. The study extends entrepreneurship theory by demonstratingagency in extreme contexts, enriches feminist scholarship by revealing resistance within patriarchal constraints, and advances sustainable entrepreneurship models. Findings inform policy recommendations including microfinance mechanisms, infrastructure investments, training programs, and gender-responsive tourism policies for transforming women's entrepreneurship from survival strategies to sustainable development pathways.