Bellies en Route : a case of an entrepreneurial food tourism company / Ashraf Mohamed Sheta and Dina Aly El Ghonaimy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mohamed Sheta, Ashraf, author.

Ghonaimy, Dina Aly El, author.

Series:

SAGE business cases.

SAGE business cases

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Entrepreneurship--Case studes--Case studies.

Entrepreneurship.

Food tourism--Case studies.

Food tourism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource.

Place of Publication:

London : SAGE Publications: SAGE Business Cases Originals, 2026.

Summary:

Bellies en Route, a food tourism startup established in 2016 by two passionate entrepreneurs, Laila Hassaballa and Mia Nizar, introduced a unique way for visitors to experience Egyptian culture-through its rich and diverse cuisine. Operating in Cairo, the company quickly gained recognition for its immersive food tours, which provided tourists with an authentic taste of local flavors while supporting small, family-run restaurants. Despite the company's success and its positioning as Egypt's top-rated food tour operator, Bellies en Route has faced significant challenges related to the seasonality of tourism in Egypt.Historically, the company has relied on peak tourist seasons, primarily between October and April, to generate the bulk of its revenue. However, this dependence on high seasons has posed financial difficulties during low seasons. In response, the founders gradually increased their tour prices, helping sustain annual operational costs. Yet, in 2020, the unforeseen impact of the COVID-19 pandemic devastated the global tourism industry, leading to mass cancellations during what should have been Bellies en Route's busiest months. The crisis not only disrupted their revenue streams but also threatened their long-standing relationships with partner restaurants that relied on a steady flow of tourists.This case study explores the dilemmas faced by Bellies en Route considering the pandemic, shedding light on the challenges of high seasonality, revenue instability, and the need for a resilient business model. It prompts discussions on strategic solutions, such as diversifying revenue streams, targeting local customers, or introducing new operational models to mitigate future uncertainties. As the co-founders navigate these difficulties, they must identify innovative ways to sustain their business and adapt to an evolving tourism landscape. Students will be asked to explore solutions that ensure long-term sustainability in a volatile industry.

Notes:

Description based on XML content.

ISBN:

979-83-488-5479-9

OCLC:

1569208783

Publisher Number:

T301405