Charting new paths for the tourism industry and post COVID-19 adaptation strategies in hotel operations

Abstract

The Coronavirus pandemic challenged businesses around the world, forcing everyone to review their business models and seek new adaptations for survival. The hospitality industry was one of the earliest industries affected as travel bans were imposed. Hotels and events centres were subsequently shut down. However, some hotels later re-emerged as quarantine centres and make-shift hospitals. Others adapted by providing food retail services amongst other innovations. The COVID-19 experience has had the cumulative effect of expanding the duty of care of hotels and imposing the need for more flexibility. These new realities are in turn likely to affect the hospitality market in such a way that hotels will increasingly become more „hybridised‟ in the post-COVID-19 era. In contemplating new pathways for hotels in the post-COVID-19 era, this paper reviewed and re-interpreted the five stages of emergency preparedness for the hotel industry. The paper recommended that hotel owners/managers should consider the post-covid paths and embrace a more flexible approach to hospitality business, increase partnerships with hospitals, diversify to food retail services, take inspiration from the health spas and become more health oriented.