Coronavirus Crisis: Investigating Tourism and Management in Italy

This case study critically investigates the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the travel and tourism industry in Italy, focusing on crisis management strategies employed to mitigate the effects. The study examines the pandemic's influence on flight cancellations, hotel bookings, and overall economic stability within the tourism sector. It delves into crisis management theories and their practical application during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of communication, preventative measures, and government interventions. The research methodology employed involves qualitative data analysis, drawing from secondary sources such as journals, articles, and websites, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and potential solutions for managing similar crises in the future, emphasizing the need for vaccination efforts and global collaboration.

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.

Data analysis: It is useful in analysing the relevant sets of data which has been collected with
appropriate and reliable sources. The researcher of the study has opted for qualitative research
where thematic analysis has been performed which helps in analysing relevant set of data which
helps to gain wide degree of knowledge by examining various patterns and themes (Kumar,
2019). It is useful in analysing and interpreting the results on the impact of Coronavirus on travel
and tourism and also demonstrate an understanding on Crisis management models within travel
and tourism.
5.0 FINDINGS/ RESULTS
Name
Age
Gender
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Do you have understanding on the Coronavirus pandemic?
 Yes
 No
 Maybe
2. According to you, what are the main cause of Coronavirus disease?
 Contact with human to human
 Contact with certain droplets or bodily fluids
 Touch with the infected person
 All of the above
3. According to you, what are the measures taken by the government associated with
coronavirus in Italy?
 Screening test
 Suspending of major events and closure of educational institutions
 Lock down of cities and towns
 Hygiene and disinfection measures
 All of the above
4. According to you what is the effective crisis management models which helps in improving
COVID 19 outcomes?

 Use of surgical gloves and mask
 Sanitization of hands
 Educating people by communicating
 All of the above
5. According to you, how long do you think for Covid 19 vaccination and antidote to be made
available for the people globally?
 More than 1 year
 Within 1 year
 Within 6 months
 Within 3 months
6. How do you think, COVID 19 impact the tour and travel industry of Italy?
 Agreed
 Highly agreed
 Disagreed
 Highly disagreed
 Neutral
7. According to you, why the number of cases associated with the Coronavirus are high in Italy?
8. What is pandemic and how does it change its approach towards Coronavirus?
Theme 1: Yes, maximum number of respondents have understanding about the Coronavirus
disease.
PARTICULARS NUMBER OF
RESPONDENTS
% OF RESPONDENTS
Yes 7 70%
No 1 10%
Maybe 2 20%
TOTAL 10 100%

Yes No Maybe
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
70.00%
10.00%
20.00%
% OF RESPONDENTS
Interpretation: The above carried out research from 10 managers of the top travel and
tourism industry. Among which 70% established the fact that, Coronavirus is a family of various
viruses known as SARS- CoV- 2 which in turn causes illness. Crisis management and the
planning of Coronavirus pandemic helps in dealing with the sudden emergency situation of the
economy. It helps in dealing with the sudden emergency situation to reduce the infection of
COVID 19.
Theme 2: Contact with human to human, touch with the infected person and contact with
certain droplets or bodily fluids are main cause of Coronavirus disease.
PARTICULARS NUMBER OF
RESPONDENTS
% OF RESPONDENTS
Contact with human to human 2 20%
Contact with certain droplets
or bodily fluids
1 10%
Touch with the infected person 2 20%
All of the above 5 50%
TOTAL 10 100%

20.00%
10.00%
20.00%
50.00%
Contact with human to human
Contact with certain droplets or
bodily fluids
Touch with the infected person
All of the above
Interpretation: The above carried out research from 10 managers of the top travel and
tourism industry, Among which 50% established the fact that, contact or touch with the infected
person who has coronavirus in turn is considered to be one of the major cause for spreading of
COVID- 19. Contact with certain droplets or bodily fluids is also one of the main cause of
Coronavirus disease.
Theme 3: Lock down of cities and towns is one of the major measures taken by the
government associated with coronavirus in Italy.
PARTICULARS NUMBER OF
RESPONDENTS
% OF RESPONDENTS
Screening test 2 20%
Suspending of major events
and closure of educational
institutions
1 10%
Lock down of cities and towns 4 40%
Hygiene and disinfection
measures
1 10%
All of the above 2 20%

TOTAL 10 100%
20.00%
10.00%
40.00%
10.00%
20.00%
Screening test
Suspending of major events
and closure of educational
institutions
Lock down of cities and towns
Hygiene and disinfection
measures
All of the above
Interpretation: The above carried out research from 10 managers of the top travel and
tourism industry, Among which 40% established the fact that, lockdown of cities and towns
helps in avoidance of interaction with the people which eventually helps in reduction in the
spreading of Coronavirus among individuals. Screening test and taking various hygiene
measures are effective steps taken by the government to reduce impact of Coronavirus.
Theme 4: Sanitization of hands, use of surgical gloves and mask and educating people by
communicating are the effective crisis management models which helps in improving COVID
19 outcomes.
PARTICULARS NUMBER OF
RESPONDENTS
% OF RESPONDENTS
Use of surgical gloves and
mask
2 20%
Sanitization of hands 1 10%
Educating people by
communicating
3 30%

All of the above 4 40%
TOTAL 10 100%
20.00%
10.00%
30.00%
40.00% Use of surgical gloves and
mask
Sanitization of hands
Educating people by com-
municating
All of the above
Interpretation: The above carried out research from 10 managers of the top travel and
tourism industry. Among which 40% established the fact that, every individual must focus on
sanitizing their hands on a regular basis. The individuals must also focus on using mask on the
mouth and use surgical gloves in order to protect themselves from an infected person of COVID
19 virus. The government must focus on taking effective measures to communicate with each
individual in order to educate them about Coronavirus.
Theme 5: Maximum number of respondents think vaccination for Covid 19 will be made
available for the people globally within 1 year.
PARTICULARS NUMBER OF
RESPONDENTS
% OF RESPONDENTS
More than 1 year 3 30%
Within 1 year 5 50%
Within 6 months 2 20%
Within 3 months 0 0%