Covid-19 Pandemic Peak Period-Challenges and Overcoming Measures followed in the Star-Rated Hotels in Gondar town, Ethiopia

Abstract

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly revealed coronavirus. This virus spread worldwide, done severe damages to the lives of many people, and allowed to have a forced closure and lockdown of many activities. This pandemic condition also led to a substantial loss in the hospitality business in various means. This study focused on identifying the challenges encountered by the hotel management during this covid-19 pandemic peak period in star-rated hotels in Gondar town. Descriptive research design and judgmental sampling technique is used, and structured interviews were conducted with the managers working in the star-rated hotels. Study results reveal that AMOR is fallen to the minimum and led to the budget deficit, lack of capacity to pay salary and run the business. However, the hotel management overcomes the accumulated challenges by cost-reducing, minimizing the workforce, offering training programs, rendering essential maintenance and renovation works in the properties, by giving discounts, forced leave to employees and closure of hotels facilities and services and operating the significant activities in the hotels with limited staffs.