The Role of Small Businesses in the Development of Tourism Village Infrastructure: an Organizational and Economic Approach

The development of tourism villages has become a strategic direction for enhancing rural livelihoods and promoting sustainable economic growth in Uzbekistan. In this context, small businesses serve as a vital engine in shaping both the economic landscape and infrastructure of tourism-oriented rural areas. This thesis explores the organizational and economic role of small enterprises in advancing infrastructure in tourism villages, with a focus on public-private cooperation, local entrepreneurship, and value chain integration. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach, the study examines small business involvement in areas such as guesthouse construction, catering services, transport solutions, and eco-friendly infrastructure initiatives. Data gathered from case studies in the Samarkand region indicate that locally owned businesses are often more adaptive, cost-effective, and community-oriented compared to large-scale investors. These small-scale enterprises contribute not only to employment generation and income diversification but also to the preservation of local traditions and cultural identity. Furthermore, the research highlights the organizational challenges that small businesses face, such as limited access to finance, regulatory burdens, and insufficient capacity in project management. However, with supportive policy frameworks, microfinance opportunities, and infrastructure grants, small businesses can emerge as key actors in tourism-led rural development. In conclusion, empowering small businesses through institutional support and integrated planning is essential for building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable tourism village infrastructure. Their role must be viewed not as supplementary but as central to the strategic planning of rural tourism economies.