The informal economy of domestic business tourism: Evidence from Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Research on the informal economy in tourism largely has been undertaken with reference to leisure tourism and the roles of informal transport operators, self-employed beach vendors, or handicraft producers. This paper shifts the focus to investigate the informal economy of business tourism, a neglected theme in global business tourism scholarship. Arguably, through its content and roles, the informal economy of business tourism (both international and domestic) represents a distinct sphere of economic activity essential in the economic and social life of most African countries. The aim in this paper is to provide new insight concerning the informal economy of business tourism in an informalizing African city, namely Harare, Zimbabwe’s political and administrative capital. Using a semi-structured survey with 400 domestic informal business tourists and the collection of personal narratives, an analysis is pursued of two key dimensions of the operations of informal businesses. Questions related to the start-up, establishment, and everyday mode of operation of these businesses are addressed. Then, the investigation turns to the nature and organisation of their business activities in the city, including supply networks, markets, and connections back to home areas. Key findings are that Zimbabwe’s capital city is the pivot for the vital supply and distribution of goods bought and sold within the informal economy of Zimbabwe through the channels and networks of informal business entrepreneurs.