Understanding the Challenges Faced by Hospitality Managers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia

Authors

  • Nur Hidayah Che Ahmat Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
  • Syafiqah Rahamat Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Wan Rusni Wan Ismail Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
  • Rafidah Aida Ramli Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
  • Ahmed Baiomy Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i19.3213

Keywords:

Hospitality, COVID-19, Malaysia, Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic severely hit the hospitality industry in Malaysia. The Malaysian government implemented restriction orders and preventative measures, which had impacted business operations. This study aims to explore the challenges faced by hospitality managers during the early phase of the COVID-19 in Malaysia. Using qualitative purposive sampling, researchers interviewed 12 managers from the hotel and restaurant sectors. Based on the content analysis, the respondents reported several challenges, including generating revenues, controlling costs, and managing the workforce. Findings contributed significantly to various stakeholders such as the Malaysian government and the hospitality providers. Limitations and future recommendations are discussed.

Keywords: Hospitality; COVID-19; Malaysia; Pandemic

eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i19.3213

 

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Published

2022-03-31

How to Cite

Che Ahmat, N. H., Rahamat, S., Wan Ismail, W. R., Ramli, R. A., & Baiomy, A. (2022). Understanding the Challenges Faced by Hospitality Managers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 7(19), 183–188. https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i19.3213