Abstract
Informal businesses represent a significant area of research in the field of sport tourism. These sectors are regarded as contributors to the overall tourism impacts associated with sporting events. Nonetheless, most existing research focusing on the impacts of sport tourism on businesses primarily concentrates on formal enterprises rather than informal ones. Unfortunately, the examination of the effects of sporting events on informal businesses remains limited, despite the prevalence of informality in the environments where these events occur. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between sporting events and informal businesses in Zimbabwe.
Employing a mixed-methods research approach, this study prioritised qualitative research while using quantitative research in a supportive capacity. Data were collected through questionnaire surveys (n = 150) administered to informal businesses located outside sports stadiums in Harare. The questionnaire was selected as the primary data collection instrument because it allowed for the systematic collection of both structured quantitative data and open-ended qualitative responses from a large and diverse group of informal business owners. The key findings of the study indicate a strong correlation between sporting events and informal businesses in Zimbabwe. The research demonstrates that informal businesses flourish near sporting events because of the economic opportunities generated by the foot traffic these events attract, which provides survival and employment for many. Furthermore, the study reveals that sporting events provide informal businesses, which operate out of both social and economic necessity, with accessible low-barrier entry points. However, these businesses encounter significant challenges to their growth, including limited access to funding, currency instability, and regulatory constraints. Despite these obstacles, the study highlights substantial opportunities for regional and local development, particularly through enhanced international trade and mobility. In summary, the study demonstrates that informal businesses significantly contribute to household incomes and urban livelihoods while generating economic opportunities for the unemployed. However, despite these economic benefits, informal businesses face various challenges, such as police harassment, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to capital, which hinder their ability to grow and operate in the formal sector. Furthermore, the ease of entry into the informal sector has led to increased competition, identified as a major threat to the sustainability of many informal enterprises. The study advocates for implementing more inclusive policies that...