Purpose
This paper aims to examine developments in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic using the hotel sector in the North-East of England as the area of study. The country has attracted a lot of attention not only because of its importance as a tourism destination but also due to its rather controversial management of the pandemic at least in its early stages.
Design/methodology/approach
Fifteen semi-structured interviews based on ten open-ended questions were conducted with North East of England-based hotel managers of international brands on the level of their hotels’ preparedness to effectively deal with pandemic cases. The interviews took place in August and September 2020 with participants kept anonymous.
Findings
Meeting new operational and bureaucratic requirements added to the cost structure and proved a major challenge for managers who saw their hotel occupancy rates and revenue collapsing within a short period of time. Innovative and aggressive pricing strategies were introduced to lure especially younger travelers in the absence of business clientele. Staff were made redundant and/or asked to work overtime making effective human resource management very difficult.
Originality/value
This is one of the first research attempts to highlight the importance of the COVID-19 pandemic for the hotel sector in a major region of the UK. The paper also attempts some generalization by discussing managerial implications and suggesting a possible way forward for the hotel sector. Developing resilience by building on previously used successful business practices proves of essence.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an account of the recruitment process of an international hotel brand in Nigeria, to highlight the issues related to human capital development and to propose relevant solutions.
Design/methodology/approach
An informal interview was carried out via email. Arike Taiwo is the Executive Director of an international automobile company. She has worked 11 years in human resources for international hotel brands in the UK and Nigeria.
Findings
The interview provides a practitioner’s perspective on human capital issues in the hotel sector. Important points raised relate to expatriate recruitment practices, employment laws and the employment relationship.
Originality/value
This contribution offers an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to understand the underlying issues that impact on human capital development in international hotels in Nigeria.
Tourism in the post(?) COVID-19 era: evidence from the hotel sector in the North East of England