Foundation Year Research Project: Covid-19 Impact on UK Hotel Industry

This research project investigates the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the UK hotel industry, specifically focusing on the challenges and strategic responses of Travelodge. The study identifies the adverse effects of the pandemic on business operations and profitability, including disruptions to supply chains, operational complexities, and changes in consumer behavior. The research examines the impact of government regulations and travel restrictions on Travelodge's performance and explores potential strategies for managing the crisis, such as leveraging online platforms, implementing digital tools, and adapting to changing consumer preferences. The methodology employs an interpretivist research philosophy and an inductive approach, utilizing secondary data analysis to evaluate government publications, public records, and previous research. The findings highlight the need for digital transformation, cost-effective marketing, and adaptable business models to navigate the ongoing challenges and enhance the long-term viability of the hospitality sector.

Effects of Covid 19 on the hotel
industry in the UK
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Chapter 1..........................................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Chapter 2..........................................................................................................................................4
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................4
Chapter 3..........................................................................................................................................4
Methodology....................................................................................................................................4
Timeline...........................................................................................................................................4
Chapter 4..........................................................................................................................................4
Chapter 5..........................................................................................................................................4
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Chapter 1
Covid-19 crisis affected all industries around the globe in which hospitality industry is among
the hardest hit business sectors which faced number of challenges and issues (Aigbedo, 2021).
To conduct this research Travelodge is being selected which is operating as one of the leading
organization in hospitality industry which provides wide range of products and services to
customers.
Introduction
Present research report has conducted on the outbreak of COVID-19 impact on organization in
hospitality industry sector. Present reset explores negative impact of this pandemic on
organization profitability and productivity.
Aim
To identify the impact of Covid on organisations’ business operations and profitability in
the hospitality sector. A Study on Travelodge, UK.
Objectives
 To identify the impact of Covid on organisations’ business operations and profitability in
the hospitality sector.
 To determine the impact of Covid-19 regulations on Travelodge, UK profitability and
business operations
 To evaluate potential strategies that can be implemented by Travelodge, UK to manage
the Covid-19 crisis and enhance business profitability.
Research problem
The research problem is related to the outbreak of COVID-19 and their impact on hospitality
industry. This topic explores impact of COVID-19 on organization like Travelodge. Covid-19
crisis increase complexities and issues in front of companies to conduct business operations
effectively.
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Research Questions
 What is the impact of Covid on organisations’ business operations and profitability in the
hospitality sector?
 What is the impact of Covid-19 regulations on Travelodge, UK profitability and business
operations?
 What are the potential strategies that can be implemented by Travelodge, UK to manage
the Covid-19 crisis and enhance business profitability?
Chapter 2
Literature Review
Impact of Covid on organisations’ business operations and profitability in the hospitality
sector
As per the the viewpoint of Baum and Hai, 2020 the outbreak of Covid-19 affected every
industry around the globe. This lead many business sectors in different industries to face
financial as well as operational challenge. The hospitality industry is among the hardest hit
business sector which lead organization in this segment to face many financial losses due to
travel ban and government restrictions. Companies in this sector face challenges such as
interrupted supply chain network, lack of ability to provide services to customers, increase in
complexities to conduct business operations and more (Bonfanti, Vigolo and Yfantidou, 2021).
The outbreak of this pandemic affected this industry which lead them to face economic and
operational loss. Covid crisis also change the buying behaviour of customers which is leading
this industry to implement new strategies that require higher investment.
Impact of Covid-19 regulations on Travelodge, UK profitability and business operations
As per the viewpoint of Gerwe, 2021 Covid-19 crisis affected hospitality industry in an adverse
manner. Many business organizations in this sector were forced to temporarily or permanently
shutdown their business operations. Travelodge is among the companies in the sector that has
faced the drastic impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic on their profitability and
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business operation. This is among one of the leading organization and hospitality industry in the
provinces of the United Kingdom that has affected adversely due to increase in number of rules
and restrictions imposed by government. Along with this travel ban, lockdown enhanced the
challenges and issues in front of Travelodge to provide services to customers (Hao, 2021).
Travelodge faced challenges associated to interrupted supply chain, increase in complexities to
manage work, develop communication among management and employees due to remote
working and more. It increases adverse impact on company profitability along with business
operations.
Potential strategies that can be implemented by Travelodge, UK to manage the Covid-19 crisis
and enhance business profitability
According to the viewpoint of Jiang and Wen, 2020 the outbreak of COVID-19 affected
businesses all around the globe. In this hospitality is among the worst affected industries due to
Covid-19 crisis. Travelodge faced number of challenges which affected their profitability and
business operation. In this company with the help of making modification in their strategies
towards online platform can manage their business operations with a higher security of data,
safety and security of employees and customers, cost-effective advertisement operations and
more (Jones and Comfort, 2020). Travelodge with the help of taking use of artificial intelligence,
virtual reality can assure higher profitability and can enhance their business operations
effectively.
Chapter 3
Methodology
Research methodology is a vital part of overall research as it provide vital and essential data and
information related to the choice in selection of research method. In this, it has been underlined
that this is an important aspect of research which plays essential role and outline the approaches
and methods that researcher has undertaken to accomplish research aims and objectives. It is
essential for an investigator to undertake use of appropriate methods and techniques. In context
with present research investigator aim towards undertaking the use of Interpretivism research
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philosophy. The primary objective behind taking use of this method is to collect data and
information and emphasise on involving emotion and bias in their views. In addition to this
investigator will also undertake advantage of inductive research approach (Li, Yao and Chen,
2021). The main justification behind taking use of this method is to develop clear links between
the research objectives and the summary findings that are derived from the raw data.
In order to collect data investigator will undertake use of qualitative data collection method
in which investigator will emphasise on evaluating already conducted research work.
Investigator will undertake use of secondary data collection method to fulfill overall am and
objectives of research effectively.
Timeline
A Gantt chart is a project management tool that illustrates a project plan. It typically
includes two sections: the left side outlines a list of tasks, while the right side has a timeline with
schedule bars that visualize work. The Gantt chart can also include the start and end dates of
tasks, milestones, dependencies between tasks, and assignees.
TASK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Define
objectives
Research
design
Collect
data
Analyse
the data
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Formulate
conclusion
Chapter 4
Research report has been conducted with the of secondary data analysis methods. In this
investigator analyses government publications public records, documents, past research works,
books, journals, newspapers in a well defined effective manner. With the help of evaluating all
these sources researcher analyses that Covid-19 19 affected hospitality industry in the provinces
of United Kingdom in adverse manner Louis, Steadman and Warnaby, 2022). Covid-19 crisis
has drastic impact on old business sectors around the globe. The hospitality industry is among
most hit industries that faced many challenges and issues in terms of operating their business
roles and responsibilities. It has been evaluated that organizations such as Travelodge, in this
sector face challenges to manage employees as due to government lockdown and strict measures
employees were subjected to stay at their home. It has been analysed that this industry is among
the leading industries around the world which provide employment opportunities to individual to
skilled and unskilled labour’s. The outbreak of this pandemic affected the ability of this industry
to provide job opportunities which not only affected the ability to serve customers but also lead
toward decrease in job growth (Ruel and Njoku, 2020). Furthermore it has been analysed that the
outbreak of Covid-19 increases hospitality industry to rely mostly on digital tools and technology
significantly increases the overall project of organization on small and medium scale in this
industrial sector. After situation is getting back to normal many organizations needed to conduct
their business roles and responsibilities with the help of taking digital tools and technologies.
Furthermore, it has been underlined that the outbreak of Covid-19 also increases the need of
implementing high tech technology to increases competition in industry in which many
organisations are taking use to technologies to attract customers.
Furthermore it has been analysed that this pandemic also lead towards change in the buying
behaviour of consumers in which organisations such as Travelodge needs to provide attractive
offers discounts and affordable packages to customers in order to attract them (Thams, Rempel
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and Ayia-Koi, 2020). Thus, according to the analysis of various articles, books. previously
conducted work it has been underline that the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic created number of
challenges in front of business organisations to conduct their roles and responsibilities in
effective manner. It increases their overall budget and lead them to face many operational as well
as financial losses.
Chapter 5
Conclusion
Thus according to the above analysis it has been concluded that the outbreak of COVID-
19 adversely affected business organization in adverse manner. Companies on different scale in
this industry faced challenges to serve customers.
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References
Books and Journals
Aigbedo, H., 2021. Impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry: A supply chain resilience
perspective. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 98, p.103012.
Baum, T. and Hai, N.T.T., 2020. Hospitality, tourism, human rights and the impact of COVID-
19. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.
Bonfanti, A., Vigolo, V. and Yfantidou, G., 2021. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on
customer experience design: The hotel managers’ perspective. International Journal of
Hospitality Management, 94, p.102871.
Gerwe, O., 2021. The Covid-19 pandemic and the accommodation sharing sector: Effects and
prospects for recovery. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 167, p.120733.
Hao, F., 2021. Acceptance of contactless technology in the hospitality industry: extending the
unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism
Research, 26(12), pp.1386-1401.
Jiang, Y. and Wen, J., 2020. Effects of COVID-19 on hotel marketing and management: a
perspective article. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.
Jones, P. and Comfort, D., 2020. The COVID-19 crisis and sustainability in the hospitality
industry. International journal of contemporary hospitality management.
Li, Y., Yao, J. and Chen, J., 2021. The negative effect of scarcity cues on consumer purchase
decisions in the hospitality industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. International
Journal of Hospitality Management, 94, p.102815.
Louis, N., Parker, C., Skinner, H., Steadman, C. and Warnaby, G., 2022. Tourism and
Hospitality industry resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic: Evidence from
England. Current Issues in Tourism, 25(1), pp.46-59.
Ruel, H. and Njoku, E., 2020. AI redefining the hospitality industry. Journal of Tourism Futures.
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Thams, A., Zech, N., Rempel, D. and Ayia-Koi, A., 2020. An initial assessment of economic
impacts and operational challenges for the tourism & hospitality industry due to
COVID-19 (No. 2/2020). IUBH Discussion Papers-Tourismus & Hospitality.
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