Microsoft Word 2007 ichrie conference Proceedings Final-Final 06-06-07. doc

 
2007 Annual International CHRIE Conference & Exposition 
425
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SMALL HOTEL GEOGRAPHIC CLUSTERS IN TANZANIA 
Amit Sharma 
The Pennsylvania State University
State College, PA, USA 
Jeannie Sneed 
Iowa State University 
Ames, Iowa, USA 
and 
Swathi Ravichandran 
Kent State University 
Kent, Ohi, USA 
ABSTRACT 
Understanding of small hospitality businesses within a regional and national context remains an intriguing 
issue for researchers and practitioners. Spatial analysis of small hotel clusters can provide an assessment of factors 
impacting their economic contribution and performance. Using a combination of survey data and qualitative 
assessment, this paper tested the hypothesis that economic impact and performance capabilities, developmental 
policies, and industry and competitiveness environment for small hotels are different in three cities in Tanzania. This 
paper contributes methodologically through a comparative spatial analysis with implications on entrepreneurship, 
sustainable development, economic growth, and small hospitality business research in developing nations.