An evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 on the performance of hotels and lodges in Windhoek, Namibia

This study evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of hotels and lodges in Windhoek, Namibia. The study was promoted by the poor and uninspiring performance of hotels and lodges following the pronouncement of successive COVID-19 induced lockdowns. The objectives of the study were to establish the influence of COVID-19 on occupancy rates, ADR, RevPAR and profitability of hotels and lodges in Windhoek, Namibia and suggest perceived policy interventions for sustainable recovery of the hotels and lodges. The study was theoretically guided by the theory of constraints, resource-based theory and the dynamic capability theory. The study adopted the positivism philosophy and quantitative approach to enable the researcher to make use of scientific evidence, including statistics that show how COVID-19 affected the performance of hotels and lodges in Windhoek, Namibia. A correlational research design was employed to facilitate hypotheses testing and explain the cause-and-effect relationships between the COVID-19 pandemic and the performance of the hotels and lodges. A total of 89 structured questionnaires, designed using google forms, were electronically distributed through a cross-sectional survey that targeted managers and accounting officers of the participating hotels. The respondents were selected using stratified random sampling in order to reflect the population structure in the sample. Data was analysed quantitatively using SPSS version 19. It was revealed that rising new COVID-19 cases and deaths as well as restrictions on domestic, regional and international travel led to cancellation of bookings and low occupancy rates. COVID-19 negatively impacted on Average Daily Rate (ADR), Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) and profitability of hotels and lodges. The study concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the performance of hotels and lodges in Windhoek, Namibia. It was recommended that hotels and lodges should develop new business models; advocate for a rescue / aid package for hotels and lodges and target domestic tourists with limited travel restrictions to enhance occupancy, ADR and RevPAR. A further study covering other cities and towns in Namibia and incorporating qualitative methods was suggested

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Namibia

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Kauatuuapehi, Clemence

• COVID-19
• ADR
• Profitability
• RevPAR
• Occupancy rate

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11070/3825

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.unam.edu.na:11070/3825