THE END OF COVID-19 AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS BY THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Abstract

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health emergency in 2023. This study aims to review the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospitality sector in Africa in terms of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It is based on a review of documentary sources on the nexus between COVID-19, SDGs and the hospitality sector in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings highlight that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the closure of hospitality facilities, significant job losses, decline in GDP contribution, financial losses and an increase in poverty which negatively impacted the achievement of various SDGs. This said, the pandemic also brought certain positive impacts including a reduction in carbon emissions and a greater appreciation of domestic tourism. Arguably, in the post COVID-19 period, the hospitality sector in sub-Saharan Africa needs a reset with expanded measures towards the achievement of the SDGs. Correspondingly, African hospitality scholarship must pivot to address relevant research issues around the SDGs.