Exploring COVID-19 Technological Impacts on Portuguese Hotel Chains– CEO´s Perspective

Abstract

This paper is about the perspectives of Portuguese big players, such as hotel companies between the two lockdowns. This research intends to capt the reaction of the CEOs of the biggest hotel chains in Portugal. The aims of this research are: 1) to identify different types of impacts in the hotel sector; 2) to ascertain different solutions which help to take managing decisions mainly related with technologies; 3) to help creating a strategy that will leverage the economy now that this pandemic is no longer an unknown subject but still to be considered one of the biggest crises that affected the tourism sector. To assure the achievement of the referred aims a qualitative method is applied to this research. Two semi-structured interviews were applied to the most ranking hotel chains´ decision-makers in Portugal. The script was based on the Literature Review about COVID-19 and crisis impacts. The paper highlights some of the most important economic, financial impacts, technological, organizational and operational impacts that were experienced by Portuguese hotel chains during those hard times. As limitations authors identified the small sample. An extension of the sample to other hotel companies will make the results more representative.Conclusions and implications drawn are critical to improve the experience in the tourism sector after covid-19 crisis.