Mastering intrapreneurial behaviour for sustained socioeconomic development: A public service analysis of the south-east Wales heritage tourism attractions sector

Heritage is the key to the success of the tourism industry in Wales. Tourism itself is one of the largest and most important industries in the Principality, contributing £2.5 billion in spending from visitors, 7% to GDP and 10% of jobs to the economy. Following a period of substantial growth during the 1980s and 1990s, the industry has seen a period of decline over recent years. This paper analyses the proposition that an attitude of enterprise and innovation must be embraced if the heritage tourism industry in Wales is to be used as a catalyst for economic regeneration and development. The aim of the study was to assess to what extent intrapreneurial behaviour was occurring in the three organizations investigated and what were the views on enterprise of those surveyed. The research reported on case studies of the intrapreneurial characteristics of the small and medium-sized heritage tourism enterprises (SMHTEs) in the eastern valleys of south Wales. Three organizations were analysed and the data collated to produce, in combination with the contemporary literature, recommendations for successful growth and sustained socioeconomic development. The conclusions of the work suggest that intrapreneurial behaviour in existing organizations is directly linked to staff engagement and empowerment.