University Incubators as Catalysts for Sustainable Tourism Entrepreneurship and a Green Innovation Framework

Abstract

Entrepreneurship within travel is seen as a strong contributor to the economy and economic growth, jobs, and sustainable development. Many students struggle to develop appropriate knowledge, skills, and resources needed to start-up a sustainable tourism business. This study looks at how university incubators help students to improve their entrepreneurial skill set for the purpose of establishing green (sustainable) travel ventures within state universities. The research will assess how the university incubators are helping students to improve their travelrelated entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and business capabilities; provide hands-on training to help students launch sustainable tourism business ventures by generating (and/or having access to) necessary resources; and provide opportunities for students to create self-employment and/or job opportunities through entrepreneurship in tourism. This research used a quantitative research method with researchers collecting 292 university students using a structured questionnaire to collect data. The questionnaire contained demographic information and the data analysis used weighted average methods, t tests, ANOVA to determine the relationship among university support, entrepreneurial competency, green innovation, and preparedness for sustainable tourism businesses. The results are expected to indicate that the university-based incubators and practical training programs greatly increase students’ knowledge about entrepreneurship, practical skills, and intentions to start a sustainable tourism business. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for the higher education system to incorporate sustainability and green innovation within the curriculum of entrepreneurship to help prepare students to be successful in careers that include working in tourism.