Impact of COVID 19 on UK Hospitality Sector: A Study on Marriott

This research project analyses the impact of COVID 19 on the working and profitability of UK hospitality sector with a case study on Marriott. It examines the changes brought in the working conditions and evaluates their impact on the hotel's operations and profits.

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CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................1
Background of the study.........................................................................................................1
2. RESEARCH PROJECT OBJECTIVES.............................................................................1
Research Aim and Objectives................................................................................................1
Rationale of the study.............................................................................................................2
3. LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................................................2
Concept of COVID and its relation with hospitality sector...................................................2
Changes in the working condition due to current pandemic..................................................2
Impact of changes on working and profitability of the hotel.................................................3
4. PROJECT METHODOLOGY...........................................................................................3
Research Type........................................................................................................................3
Research Approach.................................................................................................................3
Research Philosophy..............................................................................................................4
Data Collection.......................................................................................................................4
Data Analysis..........................................................................................................................4
Research Limitation................................................................................................................4
5. PROJECT RESULTS & FINDINGS.................................................................................6
Presentation of the results.......................................................................................................6
6. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................7
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................7
Recommendations..................................................................................................................8
7. REFLECTION....................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................10

“Research topic – Impact of COVID 19 over the working and profitability of UK
hospitality sector”
1. INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
Coronavirus disease (COVID – 19) is a type of infectious disease that recently
affected almost all the sectors. The impact of this disease was maximum experienced by the
Hospitality industry. It is a part of service-based industry inclusive of wide range of fields
like hotels, restaurants, tourism agencies, etc. Marriott is an international brand operating in
the hospitality sector. The performance of the company was majorly devastated during the
COVID – 19 pandemic time. The current research project will be developing a keen
understanding of the key concept that is COVID 19 and its connections with the hospitality
sector will be scrutinized (Karim and et.al., 2020). The various changes that the concerned
company made into its functioning and processes for effectively responding to the sudden
change in the external business environment will be studied. A critical evaluation of such
changes will be done in this project. The research project will examine in depth the impact of
changes by the company in reviving its operations and profits from the pandemic affects. The
current project will also be recommending some changes that will aim at helping the
company in adapting to sudden evolving environment easily.
2. RESEARCH PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Research Aim and Objectives
Aim
To analyse the impact of COVID 19 over the working and profitability of UK
hospitality sector. A study on Marriott.’
Objectives
 To develop understanding relating to the concept of COVID and its relation with
hospitality sector.
 To evaluate the changes brought within working condition of Marriott because of
current pandemic.
 To examine the impact of these changes over the working and profitability of
Marriott.
 To recommend some of the changes to Marriott with help of which the changes can
be adapted easily.
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Rationale of the study
The main reason for selecting impact of COVID 19 on the functioning and
profitability of Marriott that operates in hospitality sector is that these particular interests the
researcher. The hospitality sector is one of those industries that is currently growing at a
much higher pace as compared to the others. Researching on the topic will help in gaining
new knowledge and making enhancements to the researcher’s existing knowledge with this to
the topic (Sanabria-Díaz, Aguiar-Quintana and Araujo-Cabrera, 2021). Further the study is
helpful for the company in effectively analysing the impact of global pandemic over its
functions and profitability highlighting the areas to respond to.
3. LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept of COVID and its relation with hospitality sector
As per the Statista (2020), the worldwide travel and tourism industry has directly
made a contribution of around 2.9 trillion dollars to the international Gross Domestic Product
in the year 2019. Employment in case of the hospitality industry has never reached at such
high point nor in the last few years. Inappropriately, this comes to an end rudely in the second
and third month of the year 2020. The first cases of Covid19 pandemic initiated in China in
the end of 2019 and has spread across the world quickly. It is being caused by a virus which
develops a bacterial infection that cannot be cured or fight by the anti-biotics. It is an
infectious disease which might leads to death of infected people. This pandemic had great
impact in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry and will continue to have this negative
influence. Most of the hotels around the world have lost billions and millions of dollars and
the occupancy rates were below 20 percent in the last few months.
Changes in the working condition due to current pandemic
According to Bloom and Cadarette (2019), the covid19 pandemic has compelled
different short term as well as long term negative influence on the hotel industry at the global
level. The immediate influence of this pandemic has been relevant and has also been reflected
in the intruded in incomes encouraged by unforeseen terminations of the business considering
the orders related to lockdowns being imposed by the governments of different nations. This
type of sudden closer has impacted the overall working and functioning of the hotels. As per
Jones and Comfort (2020), for sustaining business numerous changes in the working
conditions have been brought in the hospitality sector because of the current pandemic. Most
of the backend operations of the hotels were shifted to online means and workers were forced
to work from home which is quite difficult in case of hospitality sector. There were different
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safety protocols being introduced which needs to be abide by each and every employee for
better safety and security of guests such as sanitization, health, hygiene, social distancing.
Further as stated by Llosa and et.al. (2018), the eating spaces have been redesigned within the
hotels and restaurants and have added different app-based check-ins and check outs.
Impact of changes on working and profitability of the hotel
As discussed in the above section, there has been different changes in the working
conditions been brought by the hotels due to covid19. However, these changes have impacted
the working along with profitability of the hotel. According to Barrero, Bloom and Davis
(2020), following the changes being brought by the hotels such as increased safety and health
protocols has impacted the overall profitability of the hotels as it involves huge costs to
enhance the safety and hygiene within the hotel. It involves training to the employees,
installation of sensitization machines and other equipment, frequent cleaning of high tough
points and staff wearing masks. In addition to this, as per Gössling, Scott and Hall (2020), the
shifting of traditional work towards online means has also impacted the overall working
efficiency of the staff members. Employees working from home has depicted slower rate of
performance as compared to the traditional mode of working at workplace due to different
obstacles being present at home. Thus, it can be said that with these changes, the working and
profitability of the hotels have been negatively impacted.
4. PROJECT METHODOLOGY
Research Type
Research type is broadly categorised into two types namely, quantitate and
qualitative. The current research is based on qualitative research for assessing the impact of
covid 19 on the working and profitability of the hospitality sector. The theoretical aspects of
the pandemic effects on the Marriott are covered through this qualitative type of research.
The theoretical knowledge of the researcher has enhanced by following this research type.
Research Approach
Research approach can be of various types out which the major and the most common
ones are the inductive and deductive approach. The current project is based on inductive
research approach. This approach helps in assessing and analysing the qualitative aspects of
the study effectively. Formulation of aims & objectives helped in providing a base on which
the entire study is smoothly conducted.
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Research Philosophy
The two main types of research philosophies are namely interpretivism and
positivism. The current project is entirely based on interpretivism philosophy. Interpretivism
philosophy is used as the entire study is consisting of theoretical aspects and numerical
information is not used. This philosophy helps in interpreting valuable information gathered
from vast range of sources.
Data Collection
The data in the project is gathered entirely from the secondary sources. The secondary
sources include books, journals, content from the other sources that are available in published
format and articles (Pandey and Pandey, 2021). A wide range of secondary sources are
explored for the studies. Collecting data from secondary sources is beneficial for studies.
Data Analysis
The data that is gathered from the secondary sources is analysed by following the
thematic analysis method. Various themes are prepared from the set objectives of the study.
Thematic approach to analyse the data is the best suitable one for the research project as the
research is concerned with building the theoretical knowledge and all the data that is to be
analysed is non- numeric.
Research Limitation
The limitation to this research project are related to time and sources of information.
The time for the current study was limited and also as the topic of covid 19 is a recent one the
sources of information found were limited. The study could have been conducted in a much
better way if the available time and the sources were adequate.
Task Mode Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Auto
Schedule
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Selection of Research Topic 1 day Tue 9/6/22 Tue 9/6/22
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Schedule
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Development of objectives 1 day Wed 9/7/22 Wed 9/7/22 1
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Schedule
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Drafting of proposal for
research 2 days Thu 9/8/22 Fri 9/9/22 2,1
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Schedule
Secondary sources analysis 2 days Thu 9/8/22 Fri 9/9/22 2
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d
Auto
Schedule
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selecting and assessing the
research methods 1 day Mon 9/12/22 Mon 9/12/22 3
Auto
Schedule
d
Collection of data 3 days Tue 9/13/22 Thu 9/15/22 4,5
Auto
Schedule
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Analyses of data collected 2 days Fri 9/16/22 Mon 9/19/22 6
Auto
Schedule
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writing conclusion 1 day Tue 9/20/22 Tue 9/20/22 7
Auto
Schedule
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Providing
Recommendations 1 day Wed 9/21/22 Wed 9/21/22 8
Auto
Schedule
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Arranging file 1 day Thu 9/22/22 Thu 9/22/22 9
Auto
Schedule
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submission 1 day Fri 9/23/22 Fri 9/23/22 10
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5. PROJECT RESULTS & FINDINGS
Presentation of the results
In the present research work secondary research have been performed for analysing
the impact of COVID 19 over the working and profitability of UK hospitality sector. The
case company being selected for the current research purpose of Marriott. The data being
collected was evaluated with the help of qualitative analysis wherein thematic analysis tool
was being utilized. The common themes being generated from the analysis is being presented
in the below section:
Theme – 1: Covid19 and severely impacted the hospitality sector
Interpretation
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From the analysis of the secondary research being done, it has been originated that
Covid19 pandemic has severely impacted the operations of the hospitality sector and
particularly the case hotel that is Marriott. It has been found out from the study that due to the
controlling the spread of Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions were imposed by government
and this was the main reason behind the cancellation of economic activities of the hotel. This
is being supported by Wen and et.al. (2020), who stated that the hospitality industry was also
been impacted by the national as well as international flights halts and thus, there was not
tourism, business trips and meetings. In addition to this, the operations of the hotel were also
restricted and this has severely influenced the financial as well as economic performance of
the hotel. As per Kalyankar and Patil (2020). Nevertheless, prior to this pandemic, the hotel
was flourishing and growing tremendously.
Theme – 2: Shifting of operations to online means and work from home concept
Interpretation
Based on the collected information it has been found out that different changes have
been brought in the working conditions of the hotels because of the covid19 pandemic and
the most significant among them was shifting of the operations towards online means and
working from home concept. It has been explored that most of the operations of the hotel
such as reservations, checking status, occupancy rates, bookings etc. were shifted online.
Even some of the backend operations were being done by employees at home as they were
offered work from home due to fear of getting infected. This is being supported by Yun, Jung
and Yang (2015), who asserted that hotels and many other companies in the hospitality sector
has introduced work from home concept for safety measures for their employees due to
coronavirus pandemic.
Theme – 3: Introduction of safety protocols within the workplace
Interpretation
Further, from the secondary data it has also been found out from the study that the
hotel has also introduced safety protocols within the workplace such as sanitization, health,
hygiene, social distancing, redesigning of eating spaces and based check-ins and check outs
for reducing the touch points. This is being supported by Maphanga and Henama (2019), that
visible sanitizing efforts such as sanitization of hands of employees and guests, limiting the
number of clients being served and executing social distancing are the most crucial safety
protocols that the hotels adopt within their workplace.
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Theme – 4: Negative impact of changes on working and profitability of the hotel
Interpretation
The secondary research being conducted revealed that the changes being done in the
hotel has significantly impacted the overall working as well as profitability of the hotel
negatively. As defined by Zhou and et.al. (2020), implementing these safety protocols and
altered working conditions considering the rules and regulations being stipulated by the
government involves cost and this impacts the profits of the hotel that to in the condition
when the occupancy rate is reduced due to pandemic.
6. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
The current research contributes towards evaluating the impact of covid19 pandemic
on the working and profitability within the hospitality sector. The chosen hotel for the
current research purpose was Marriott hotel. The results and findings of the study offers an
understanding that overall, the working and profitability of the hospitality sector with
particular emphasis on the Marriott hotel have been impacted tremendously due to Covid-19
pandemic. The literature review section of the research work states that there are many
changes which are being brough up within the working conditions of the hotels because of
the pandemic such as adoption of online mode, work form home, implementation of safety
protocols, online check-in and check-outs etc. All this has impacted the working and
profitability of the hotel due to high cost being involved and work from home options being
offered. The findings of the thematic evaluation also mention the apparent difference in
profitability prior and post covid19 within hospitality sector. It shows that hotels changes
being done in the hotel has significantly impacted the overall working as well as
profitability of the hotel negatively.
Recommendations
Based on this, it can be said that there are certain strategies and factors that needs to
be considered by Marriott hotel with the help of which the changes can be adapted easily.
Some of them are being suggested in the subsequent paragraph:
 Firstly, it is important on the part of the manager of the hotel to make sure that the
risk related to covid19 pandemic has been communicated effectively. a guide should
be offered to the employees and community engagement must be improved for
reducing the social stigma link with the disease.
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 It is important that the workplace should be completely equipped with all the
necessary requirements for covid19 (Neirotti, Raguseo and Paolucci, 2018)
 Effective training and information should be given to each and every employee that
covers the financial protective measures.
7. REFLECTION
Overall, it can be said that the entire research project being undertaken by me offered
an incomparable experience to me. I have learned many new things while carrying out this
work. However, searching out for the topic was challenging for me in the whole process
particularly when no topic was being assigned. But, with the support of my tutors, mentors
and friends, I got to know the ways of selecting the topic. In addition to this, I have learned
and acquired different skills and abilities while doing this project. first of all, it helped me in
enhancing my writing skills as I write different aspects individually. Secondly, my research
skills were also enhanced as I involved in the process of researching different areas related to
my topic and git acquittance of varied areas as well. additionally, many a times in this
research project, one of the biggest challenges that I came across is maintenance of
motivation for keep going irrespective of issues in my study along with the pressure of work
plus personal commitments. It was quite difficult and stressful to manage my time and give
priorities to my work. This has helped me learning time management skills. Thus, it can be
said that this whole experience has impacted by skillset and employability prospects. In my
near future, I will be able to perform quite well in my job career as the skilled which I have
learned from here will support me performing well at my future job role.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Barrero, J.M., Bloom, N. and Davis, S., 2020. Economic uncertainty before and during the
COVID-19 pandemic. J. Public Econ.191.
Bloom, D.E. and Cadarette, D., 2019. Infectious disease threats in the 21st Century:
Strengthening the global response. Frontiers in Immunology. 10. p.549.
Gössling, S., Scott, D. and Hall, C.M., 2020. Pandemics, tourism and global change: A rapid
assessment of COVID-19. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. pp.1–20.
Jones, P. and Comfort, D., 2020. The COVID-19 Crisis and Sustainability in the Hospitality
Industry. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. 32(10).
pp.3037–3050.
Kalyankar, M.D. and Patil, P., 2020. Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Tourism Sector.
UGC CARE J. 31. pp.611–617.
Karim, W. and et.al., 2020. The movement control order (MCO) for COVID-19 crisis and its
impact on tourism and hospitality sector in Malaysia. International Tourism and
Hospitality Journal. 3(2). pp.1-7.
Llosa, J.A., Menéndez-Espina, S., Agulló-Tomás, E. and Rodríguez-Suárez, J., 2018. Job
insecurity and mental health: A meta-analytical review of the consequences of
precarious work in clinical disorders. An. Psicol. 34. pp.211–223.
Maphanga, P.M. and Henama, U.S., 2019. The tourism impact of Ebola in Africa: lessons on
crisis management. Afr. J. Hosp. Tour. Leisure. 8(3). pp.1–13.
Neirotti, P., Raguseo, E. and Paolucci, E., 2018. How SMEs Develop ICT-Based Capabilities
in Response to their Environment: Past Evidence and Implications for the Uptake of
the New ICT Paradigm. Journal of Enterprise Information Management. 31(1).
pp.10–37.
Pandey, P. and Pandey, M. M., 2021. Research methodology tools and techniques. Bridge
Center.
Sanabria-Díaz, J. M., Aguiar-Quintana, T. and Araujo-Cabrera, Y., 2021. Public strategies to
rescue the hospitality industry following the impact of COVID-19: A case study of the
European Union. International Journal of Hospitality Management. 97. p.102988.
Wen, J., Kozak, M., Yang, S. and Liu, F., 2020. COVID-19: Potential Effects on Chinese
Citizens’ Lifestyle and Travel. Tourism Review. 76(1). pp.74-87.
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Yun, J.H. J., Jung, W.Y. and Yang, J.H., 2015. Knowledge Strategy and Business Model
Conditions for Sustainable Growth of SMEs. Journal of Science and Technology
Policy Management. 6(3). pp.246–262.
Zhou, Q., Lai, X., Wan, C., Zhang, X. and Tan, L., 2020. Prevalence and impact of burnout,
secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction on hand hygiene of healthcare
workers in medical aid team during COVID-19 pandemic. Res. Sq. pp.1–16.
Online references
Statista, 2020. Number of people employed in the tourism industry across India from 2013 to
2017, by sector. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.statista.com/statistics/1012056/india-employment-number-in-
thetourism-industry-by-sector/>. [Accessed on 6th September 2022].
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