Vlachos, Peter ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4870-9006 (2020) Covid-19 pandemic and the hospitality response. Hospitality Quarterly, 2020 (2). p. 44. ISSN 2514-7196

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Abstract

The hospitality industry directly employs 3.2 million people in the UK and generates a turnover of £130 billion per year, which is more than the automobile, pharmaceuticals, and aeronautics combined (UK Hospitality, 2019). However, when the Coronavirus-19 pandemic hit the UK in early 2020, it was precisely this dynamic, fast-growing, SME-led industry that was amongst the first to be affected.

The article traces how the pandemic affected the hospitality, tourism, and entertainment industries, shutting them down almost immediately. London alone is estimated to have lost nearly £500 million per day (Centre for Economic and Business Research, 2020). Much of that loss will be due to the cancellation or postponement of concerts, festivals, conferences, tourist visits, and sports events.

Examples are provided of how, despite the intense hardship that these industries have incurred, many hospitality businesses have demonstrated their ingenuity by re-tooling and revamping their production and distribution, not only to survive but also to support the battle to combat against the virus. Observations are made in relation to Brexit and the future ability to share data, expertise, and resources rapidly across national borders.

The paper closes with a ray of optimism. The hospitality, tourism and entertainment industries are enterprising, creative, and resilient components of the economy. These are capacities that will help bring the wider economy out of the current turmoil.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Coronavirus-19, pandemic, hospitality industry, disaster response; live entertainment
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business
Last Modified:	27 Jun 2024 14:22
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/28328

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