Special Issue "Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Hospitality and Tourism Industry"

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Tourism, Culture, and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2021.

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Kisang Ryu
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Sejong University, 98 Gunja-Dong, Gwanjin-Gu, Seoul 143-747 Korea
Interests: hospitality and tourism marketing (physical environments, emotions, hedonic and utilitarian value, quality assurance (food, service, and atmosphere), image, application of marketing theory); big data analysis; research methodology and statistical applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Today, people all over the world are dealing with the Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic in their working and daily lives. The Covid-19 crisis has brought extraordinary challenges for consumers, firms, and politicians. Although this pandemic is affecting a variety of industries, its impact on the hospitality and tourism industry is critically important.

The aim of this Special Issue is to examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the hospitality and tourism industry and on hospitality and tourism marketing.

Articles dealing with Covid-19 effects on hospitality and tourism industry and marketing, perceived value, customer satisfaction, behavioral intentions, theory/models development, law/politics, and crisis management are welcome. The guest editor encourages studies based on various quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches, comprising but not limited to, surveys, experimental designs, case studies, interviews, reviews, and big data analyses. 

Topics of interest include but not limited to the following:

  • Covid-19
  • Hospitality and tourism industry (e.g., restaurant, hotel, airline, cruise, convention, resort)
  • Hospitality and tourism marketing
  • Perceived value
  • Customer satisfaction
  • Behavioral intentions
  • Application of theory
  • Theory/model development
  • Law/politics
  • Crisis management

Prof. Dr. Kisang Ryu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

Article
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Tourism Industry: Applying TRIZ and DEMATEL to Construct a Decision-Making Model
Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7610; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147610 - 07 Jul 2021
Viewed by 637
Abstract
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry is still being sustained, and the response of the tourism industry is an indispensable element that is increasingly recognized. This response has led to the emergence of literature about the impact of COVID-19 [...] Read more.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry is still being sustained, and the response of the tourism industry is an indispensable element that is increasingly recognized. This response has led to the emergence of literature about the impact of COVID-19 on the stakeholders of the tourism industry, thereby contributing to the industry. Nonetheless, the criteria factors and investigated practices for the implementation of decision-making by stakeholders in the tourism industry have not been fully explored. This study adopts Teorija Rezhenija Izobre-tatelskikh Zadach (TRIZ) principles and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods to construct a gap model of tourism stakeholders (GMTS) which solves the tourism industry decision-making problem under COVID-19. With a research background in Taiwan’s tourism industry stakeholders made up of 15 expert participants, GMTS identified 11 criteria factors, of which the three most important criteria factors provide decision-making directions. The causal relationship between these criteria factors was examined, and a causal diagram was drawn to clarify the most important criteria factors. This research examined the criteria factor implementation perspective. Travel “bubble zones” that ensure both “safety and quality” were concluded upon under government policies in the countries and regions of the world. Furthermore, the tourism industry is responsible for the overall “planning and management” of the travel “bubble zones”. Therefore, the “quality management” criteria factor provides important key decision-making for tourism stakeholders. The research indicates that it is recommended to attach importance to the “quality management” of the international travel “bubble zone” as the priority decision-making criteria factor under the pandemic. Furthermore, conversion policies and tourism regulations are secondary criteria factors for improvement; when these two criteria factors are immediately improved, other criteria factors will be affected simultaneously and the degree of improvement will be weakened. In addition, GMTS was developed for the tourism industry. The article also provides research literature and practice implications for stakeholders in the tourism industry, thereby providing insight for tourism to obtain a clear understanding of how to prepare for the implementation of sustainable development. Full article
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Article
CoVid Key Figures and New Challenges in the HoReCa Sector: The Way towards a New Supply-Chain
Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6884; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126884 - 18 Jun 2021
Viewed by 463
Abstract
The profound impact of the coronavirus pandemic on global tourism activity and the hospitality industry has rendered statistical approaches on tourism-demand forecasting obsolete. Furthermore, literature review shows the absence of studies on the supply chain in the HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, catering) sector from [...] Read more.
The profound impact of the coronavirus pandemic on global tourism activity and the hospitality industry has rendered statistical approaches on tourism-demand forecasting obsolete. Furthermore, literature review shows the absence of studies on the supply chain in the HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, catering) sector from a sustainability perspective that also addresses economic and social aspects, and not only environmental ones. In this context, the objective of this article is to carry out a prospective analysis on how the changes in the behaviour of consumers during the pandemic and the uncertainties regarding the exit from the health emergency can give rise to social trends with a high impact on the HoReCa sector in the coming years and, specifically, how they will affect the HoReCa supply chain. In the absence of investigations due to the proximity of what has happened, public sources and reports of international relevance have been identified and analysed from the future studies and strategic and competitive intelligence disciplines. The HoReCa sector in Spain has been chosen as field of observation. This analysis draws the future of the HoReCa sector, describes the changes in customer behaviour regarding food and beverages, explains the changes in distribution chains, and reflects on the impact of potential scenarios on the sector. The confluence of all these changes and trends can even configure a new supply chain in the hospitality sector with the emergence of new actors and the increase of access routes to a new final customer for whom security prevails in all its dimensions: physical, emotional, economic, and digital. Full article
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Article
Employee Service Quality at Uzbekistani Halal Restaurants Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Sustainability 2021, 13(10), 5712; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105712 - 19 May 2021
Viewed by 647
Abstract
In this study, we examined the employee service dimensions which are associated with satisfaction and customers’ intention to revisit among Uzbekistani customers who visit halal restaurants in Korea. We also investigated the situational factor of the pandemic outbreak and the moderating role of [...] Read more.
In this study, we examined the employee service dimensions which are associated with satisfaction and customers’ intention to revisit among Uzbekistani customers who visit halal restaurants in Korea. We also investigated the situational factor of the pandemic outbreak and the moderating role of the restaurant locations. A total of 264 respondents participated. The results revealed that behavior quality and appearance were important employee service quality dimensions for halal restaurants. However, interaction quality and expertise quality were not associated with satisfaction. The results may indicate that consumers did not prefer human interactions at the restaurants because of the risk of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The results affirmed that customers who positively evaluated their restaurant experience showed a higher intention to visit again. Finally, the findings showed a moderating effect of the location (the capital city vs. others). The customers visiting restaurants in the capital city were likely to be satisfied with employees wearing masks and wearing clean uniforms. These findings could enrich the literature on the multidimensional aspects of service encounters at Uzbekistani halal restaurants considering the tangible and intangible service qualities of employees during COVID-19. Full article
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Article
Role of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions for COVID-19 in Cruise Tourists’ Decision-Making Process: An Extended Model of Goal-Directed Behavior
Sustainability 2021, 13(10), 5552; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105552 - 16 May 2021
Viewed by 650
Abstract
This study developed an extended model of goal-direct behavior (EMGB) to investigate the role of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in predicting latent cruise travelers’ decision-making process in the COVID-19 pandemic context to foster the growth of a sustainable cruise business. An online survey was [...] Read more.
This study developed an extended model of goal-direct behavior (EMGB) to investigate the role of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in predicting latent cruise travelers’ decision-making process in the COVID-19 pandemic context to foster the growth of a sustainable cruise business. An online survey was conducted for Korean respondents with experience of being on a cruise, and a total of 288 valid data were collected. The proposed model was examined using SmartPLS 3.0. Results show that in general, antecedents of MGB affected the desire, which in turn influenced cruise travelers’ behavioral intentions. Desire was also found to affect NPIs, which influenced behavioral intentions. Results reveal that the perception of COVID-19 affected NPIs and behavioral intention during COVID-19. Findings provide academia with theoretical implications and cruise managers with practical implications. Full article
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Article
To Dine, or Not to Dine on a Cruise Ship in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Tripartite Approach towards an Understanding of Behavioral Intentions among Female Passengers
Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2516; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052516 - 26 Feb 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1024
Abstract
Given that cruise line companies are rushing to restart their operations with modified dining services, the aim of this research is to establish a conceptual framework that precisely outlines female passengers’ behavioral intentions towards dining on cruise ships in the time of the [...] Read more.
Given that cruise line companies are rushing to restart their operations with modified dining services, the aim of this research is to establish a conceptual framework that precisely outlines female passengers’ behavioral intentions towards dining on cruise ships in the time of the COVID-19 crisis. It does so by extending the theory of reasoned action (TRA) by including the social servicescape of the cruise ship dining experiencescape (stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) paradigm) and perceived health risk from COVID-19 (the prospect theory). The developed theoretical framework based on this tripartite approach has predictive power for intentions. Its effectiveness and comprehensiveness are also demonstrated. Despite the positive effect of the social servicescape on attitude and emotions and the positive attitude of female cruise travelers, the negative effect of the perceived health risk from COVID-19 appears to be the dominant factor that ultimately discourages the behavioral intentions of female cruise passengers towards dining on a cruise ship in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present research provides a crucial guiding framework that helps cruise academics and operators to maximize existing and potential passengers’ favorable decisions and behaviors for cruise ship dining. Full article
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Article
Antecedents of Purchase Intention at Starbucks in the Context of Covid-19 Pandemic
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 1758; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041758 - 06 Feb 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2173
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to examine the determinants of coffee shop purchase intention. The research domain is Starbucks, which is the brand ranked first in the coffee shop market. This study selects healthiness, hygiene, quarantine, ease of app use, and environmental [...] Read more.
The purpose of this research is to examine the determinants of coffee shop purchase intention. The research domain is Starbucks, which is the brand ranked first in the coffee shop market. This study selects healthiness, hygiene, quarantine, ease of app use, and environmental responsibility as candidates for the antecedents of purchase intention. For hypothesis testing, this research used a survey and recruited survey participants using Amazon Mechanical Turk, and carried out multiple linear regressions to test research hypotheses. The number of valid observations for the data analysis is 474. It was found that purchase intention is positively influenced by healthiness, hygiene, quarantine, and ease of app use. However, environmental responsibility was identified as a nonsignificant attribute to account for purchase intention. Practical implications are presented for coffee shop management. The outcomes contribute to the literature by scrutinizing café customers’ purchase intention with various attributes. Full article
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Article
What Can Drive Consumers’ Dining-Out Behavior in China and Korea during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 1724; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041724 - 05 Feb 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1351
Abstract
Currently, living with COVID-19 under certain protective measures still continues as the “new normal” for most of the world. The disruption that the pandemic has caused to societies and economies, especially to the restaurant industry, may last longer than some had thought. This [...] Read more.
Currently, living with COVID-19 under certain protective measures still continues as the “new normal” for most of the world. The disruption that the pandemic has caused to societies and economies, especially to the restaurant industry, may last longer than some had thought. This study intended to find out the key drivers of consumers’ dining-out intentions and their internal relationships. We adopted the structural equation modeling (SEM) method with 508 surveys collected from China and Korea. The results were as follows: perceived psychological risks, subjective norms, and enjoyment are influential to consumers’ dining-out intentions but not restaurant precautionary measures or perceived physical risk; subjective norms have direct implications on both perceived psychological and physical risks, while restaurant precautionary measures can only significantly affect perceived physical risk; enjoyment can be negatively influenced by perceived psychological and physical risks; country can moderate the relationships between subjective norms, perceived physical/psychological risk, and enjoyment. This study provides further understanding of the current food consumption patterns, which will help restaurants set up strategies accordingly to sustain their businesses and get them more prepared for any future outbreaks. Full article
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Article
The Stress-Induced Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism and Hospitality Workers
Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1327; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031327 - 27 Jan 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1939
Abstract
This study explores how COVID-19-induced stress (CID) influences organizational trust, job satisfaction, self-esteem, and commitment in tourism and hospitality organizations. A total of 427 tourism affiliated employees in South Korea participated in an online survey. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), the proposed conceptual [...] Read more.
This study explores how COVID-19-induced stress (CID) influences organizational trust, job satisfaction, self-esteem, and commitment in tourism and hospitality organizations. A total of 427 tourism affiliated employees in South Korea participated in an online survey. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), the proposed conceptual model reveals that CID stress in tourism/hospitality employees is negatively related to organizational trust, job satisfaction, and self-esteem which, in turn, is positively related to organizational commitment. CID stress also indirectly affects organizational commitment. The findings have significant strategic implications for tourism and hospitality organizations‒specifically, the provision of instrumental resources (e.g., safety glasses, latex gloves, hand sanitizers, facial masks) to alleviate their employees’ work-related stress during pandemics. Full article
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Article
The Effects of Expected Benefits on Image, Desire, and Behavioral Intentions in the Field of Drone Food Delivery Services after the Outbreak of COVID-19
Sustainability 2021, 13(1), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010117 - 24 Dec 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1323
Abstract
Food delivery services using drones have emerged, but there is not much research on it. Thus, this study was designed to examine how to form behavioral intentions based on the concept of expected benefits in the field of drone food delivery services. More [...] Read more.
Food delivery services using drones have emerged, but there is not much research on it. Thus, this study was designed to examine how to form behavioral intentions based on the concept of expected benefits in the field of drone food delivery services. More specifically, this study proposed the five dimensions of expected benefits, such as compatibility, social influence, convenience, function, and emotion, have a positive influence on image. In addition, it was proposed that image has a positive influence on desire, which in turn positively affects behavioral intentions. Lastly, this study hypothesized the moderating role of gender in this process. To achieve this purpose, 343 responses were collected in South Korea. The data analysis results showed that five dimensions of expected benefits, such as compatibility, social influence, convenience, function, and emotion have a positive influence on image. In addition, the image aids to enhance desire, which in turn positively affects behavioral intentions. Lastly, gender moderated the relationship between desire and behavioral intentions. The important theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed later in the paper. Full article
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Article
The Impact of Pandemic Crisis on the Restaurant Business
Sustainability 2021, 13(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010040 - 23 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4818
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for a health crisis and, at the same time, for a sharp drop in activities of economic sustainability, particularly in tourism management, and has consequences in most countries that are still difficult to measure. The objective of this [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for a health crisis and, at the same time, for a sharp drop in activities of economic sustainability, particularly in tourism management, and has consequences in most countries that are still difficult to measure. The objective of this research is to identify restaurant entrepreneurs’ perceptions about the future, government measures, strategies they will apply, and lessons learned for the future after the mandatory lockdown of restaurants and hospitality establishments related to pandemics. The framework was developed through content analysis with line-by-line coding applied to questionnaires collected online from Portuguese restaurant entrepreneurs. The results reveal the existence of common concerns to all entrepreneurs in the restaurant business for the post-pandemic period, about the measures that the governments should implement, and about the strategies and lessons learned for the future. Resilience in face of the future, fear of a lack of appropriate government measures, strategies designed for markets with greater immediate availability, and the creation of working capital are visible concerns in the restaurant business. Full article
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