Investigative Project in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry

Investigative Project in the
Tourism and Hospitality
Industry

Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................3
Research Background..................................................................................................................3
2.0 RESEARCH AIM AND OBJECTIVES....................................................................................3
3.0 LITERATURE REVIEW..........................................................................................................4
4.0 METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................................6
5.0 FINDINGS/ RESULTS.............................................................................................................7
6.0 DISCUSSION..........................................................................................................................16
7.0 CONCLUSION/ RECOMMENDATION...............................................................................18
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21

Topic: “To critically investigate on the subject Coronavirus and crisis
management: A study on Italy.”
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Research Background
Coronavirus disease also known as COVID 19 which was first reported on 31st December
2019 in Wuhan, China. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is referred to as a strain
of positive sense single stranded RNS virus (Lombardi and et.al., 2020). The first case of
Coronavirus pandemic in Italy was confirmed on 31st of January, 2020. As of 13th March, Italy is
considered to be one of the world's highest per capita rate associated with the Coronavirus. There
are 17660 confirmed cases, among which 1439 has been recovered and the death toll has reached
1266. Crisis management and the planning of Coronavirus pandemic helps in dealing with the
sudden emergency situation of the economy (Ronco Navalesi and Vincent, 2020). This study
will highlight on the subject Coronavirus and crisis management in Italy. The travel and tourism
industry of Italy has been largely affected because of the outbreak of Coronavirus. There has
been high report of mass cancellation on hotels and flights. 11 Italian town has been locked
down because of the Coronavirus issue. As per the WHO, the Europe has in turn become one of
the “epicentre” for the coronavirus pandemic reporting more case than China on a daily basis.
Cancellation of European flights and visas are one of the major impact associated with COVID
19.
Rationale
This study is carried out as it is useful in gaining high degree of knowledge related with
the Coronavirus pandemic and its crisis management. This way it is useful in post crisis
analysing and finding the best possible way to reduce the death toll related with Coronavirus.
This study is carried out because of the academic interest and it helps in bridging up the gaps
associated with the research. This study is very useful for managing the crisis related with the
Coronavirus.
2.0 RESEARCH AIM AND OBJECTIVES
Aim
“To critically investigate on the subject Coronavirus and crisis management: A study on Italy.”
Research Objectives

 To critically investigate the impact of Coronavirus on travel and tourism.
 To demonstrate an understanding on Crisis management theories within travel and
tourism.
 To determine the crisis management within Tourism- Viruses/ Pandemic.
Research Questions
 What is the impact of Coronavirus on travel and tourism?
 What are Crisis management theories within travel and tourism?
 What is crisis management within Tourism- Viruses/ Pandemic?
3.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review is an effective measure which is very prominent in reducing the cur rent
gaps of knowledge on the specific subject matter on the relevant topic. It is useful in taking
viewpoints of various google scholars by attaining the aims and objectives of the research study.
To critically investigate the impact of Coronavirus on travel and tourism.
Additionally, Novel, (2020) investigated that, Coronavirus has led to the shut down of the
global travel. There has been suspension and cutting down of international flights and reductions
in the visit of additional destinations. There seems 55% reduction in the flights across the Pacific
and 10% reduction in the seating capacity by this summer internationally. Demand for hotels has
also decreased as people like to stay at home because of the outbreak of Coronavirus. Perlman,
(2020) evaluated that, The travel and tourism industry of Italy has been highly affected because
of Coronavirus outbreak. There has been high report of mass cancellation on hotels and flights.
This has largely impacted the airlines, tourism destinations, hotels, cruise lines, etc. Cancellation
of European flights and visas are one of the major impact associated with COVID 19. Moreover,
Holshue and et.al., (2020) argued that, Travel and tourism is largely affected because it tends to
result in cancellation of flights and hotel. This in turn lowers the economy and GDP of the
country. Airlines are scrambling to effectively understand the impact of Coronavirus. There
seems to be an increased level of Travel restrictions which in turn largely affects the travel and
tourism industry. Coronavirus has left the most tourist hotspots empty worldwide. This has also
resulted in the postpone and cancellation of trips which eventually led to high degree of losses to
the travel and tourism industry.
To demonstrate an understanding on Crisis management theories within travel and tourism.

Phan and et.al., (2020) evaluated that, COVID- 19 is a disease which is caused by
coronavirus which has been spreading across the globe. As per the crisis management experts,
every individual should focus on comply with the various set of medical supplies such as
sanitization of hands, use of surgical gloves and mask and educating people by communicating.
Subsequently, Boniotti and et.al., (2016) established the fact that, poor communication in turn
results in high degree of crises. People should be tested in order to evaluate if the person is free
from infection. Moreover, Albarello and et.al., (2020) argued that, Government must focus on
building an effective care system which do not allow viruses to re-emerge in the specific process.
Companies must also focus on shifting there business online and work from home facility must
be given in order to manage COVID -19 crises. Proper plan must be set for the cities which has
been lock down in order to resume back to their normal life. The health care practitioners must
educate people to take necessary measures to prevent spreading of COVID 19. Cleaning and
washing hands frequently, covering the mouth while sneezing and coughing with a tissue,
covering mouth with mask, etc. helps in management of such crises.
To determine the crisis management within Tourism- Viruses/ Pandemic.
Alfano and et.al., (2019) sought to determine the fact that, pandemics tend to largely
affect the travel and tourism industry more than any other industry. As per the WHO, a pandemic
is a term which is used when new disease spreads among the various geographical areas. WHO
has also declared Coronavirus as pandemic. This results in countries getting involved in
detecting, testing, isolating, tracing and mobilisation of the people. Moreover, Bordi and et.al.,
(2020) argued that, various countries across the globe work collaboratively and cooperatively
within one another in order to bring this condition under control. Subsequently, Benvenuto and
et.al., (2020) established the fact that, one of the biggest challenges associated with the
Coronavirus is to find the effective vaccination and antidote in order to reduce the number of
COVID 19 cases and death tolls within various countries across the globe. Another major
challenge is to reduce the spread of coronavirus among the individuals. Coronavirus has also
resulted in shut down of place which eventually led to downfall in economy and travel and
tourism industry. One of the major challenge is to found out the main cause of the COVID 19
which has resulted in the spread of disease among various individuals across the globe.

4.0 METHODOLOGY
This is useful in collecting new set of information which helps in maintaining the
reliability and accuracy of the particular data sets. This helps in gaining in- depth understanding
on the specific topic of the research.
Research methods: This methodology helps in collecting new set of information related
with the specific field of study (Stevenson, 2019). The researcher of the study has opted for
qualitative research methods as it helps in providing better understanding and in- depth analysis
on the subject Coronavirus and crisis management.
Research philosophy: It is a systematic phenomenon according to which research must
be carried out. The researcher of the study has opted for interpretivism philosophical method
because it helps in interpreting key variables and patterns of the study with the help of human
integration.
Research approach: This is one of the most effective as it helps the researcher in solving various
problems associated with the research (Kennedy, 2017). This way it helps in interpreting various
set of data with the broad set of assumptions. This is useful in addressing research questions such
as the impact of Coronavirus on travel and tourism industry. The researcher of the study has
opted for inductive approach which is useful in proposing valid results at the time of finish of the
project related with Coronavirus and crisis management.
Data collection: This part of the research methodology is very useful in measuring data
based on the variables and evaluation of the outcomes (Taherdoost, 2016). Primary data is
collected through questionnaire which is useful in gaining new set of information related with the
coronavirus and the crisis management. The researcher of the study has opted for only secondary
source of data collection. Secondary source of data is collected through books, journals, articles,
websites, books, etc. This way it helps in extracting data from the information already collected
by the researcher.
Sampling: This is an effective methodology which helps in selecting the appropriate size
of the sample in order to attain relevant results and outcomes (Mohajan, 2018). The researcher of
the study has opted for random probabilistic sampling method where 10 managers of the top
travel and tourism industry in Italy will be selected. This sampling method is appropriate as it
tends to give equal level of opportunity of getting selected within the sample size. It helps in give
true and fair data without any biases.