Covid -19 pandemic and hospitality industry in Nigeria

issues, challenges and prospects for sustainable development

Abstract

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus otherwise known as Covid-19 has caught the entire globe unprepared for its ravaging consequences as the world economies have been negatively affected. The Nigerian hospitality industry has not been spared either, hence, the need for this study to examine the negative impacts of covid-19 pandemic on hospitality industry in Nigeria and by extension assess the issues and challenges faced by hospitality industry as a result of Covid-19 pandemic. Data for the study was generated from both primary and secondary sources including mail questionnaire, relevant online materials, newspapers, online Blog and interviews through social media chat. Findings of the study show that there have been negative impacts of covid-19 pandemic on hospitality industry in Nigeria. The study revealed that there are series of issues and challenges faced by hospitality industry in Nigeria arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The issues and challenges include economic losses, job losses and salary cut for workers in the industry, declining patronage, sharp drop in sales, social distancing and lockdown. Based on the findings, the study recommends the need for the Nigerian government to undertake as a matter of urgency, economic diversification by opening new opportunities in other sectors to assuage the current economic uncertainties and instabilities resulting from Covid-19 pandemic. The study also recommends the revitalization of virtual platforms for survival of the hospitality industry in Nigeria to ensure continued business transaction notwithstanding covid-19 pandemic. Government intervention by way of palliatives measures to assist key players in the industry as prospects for sustainable development is also recommended.