/library/oar/handle/123456789/98511 Tue, 04 Nov 2025 04:21:49 GMT 2025-11-04T04:21:49Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/99445 Title: The medium to long-term effects of the COVID pandemic on the management practices of five star hotels in Malta Abstract: The Covid-19 pandemic was the recent and still ongoing worldwide crisis that happened in the last two years causing businesses to work with reduced hours or permanently closing doors. In addition, the pandemic led to restriction of people’s movements by local governments imposing compulsory lockdowns and shutting down countries’ operations in order to reduce the spread of the disease. The tourism industry in this matter was not an exemption considering that the sector is one of the major contributors towards national development. Furthermore, the sector enables foreign exchanges between countries as well as creating job opportunities, which is a key element in nation’s economic development. In fact, many countries consider tourism as a crucial sector for their countries’ economies attempting its further development and attracting higher touristic flows as it can be observed on the Maltese islands. The sector is considered as a major contributor to Malta’s GDP leading to impacting local businesses and workers. Therefore, it is important to preserve the tourism meanwhile safeguarding the public health in times of pandemic such is Covid-19 (Agius, 2020). This research mainly focused on the coronavirus and how it affected the Maltese tourism sector. The main core of the study was to identify coronavirus medium to long-term practices implemented by five star accommodation facilities located on the island. First and foremost, the research examined the topic and analyzed in details the study which was carried out. Furthermore, the results were obtained with an aid of in-depth interviews conducted with five local managers. With regards to the questionnaire it was build up in order to be presented to the target interviewees. Following that, the questions related to coronavirus practices were more emphasized by the researcher and the interviewees in order to extract the necessary data. Consequently, the main findings extracted from this qualitative research presented how hoteliers, following local guidelines, continuously attempt to guarantee guests’ safety by introducing innovative practices in order to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. However, despite an introduction of these innovative practices, people still consider travelling as unsafe activity so far due to constant changes in local and international regulations to enter certain destinations. Therefore, Maltese hoteliers hope that with the current ongoing vaccination program, people will regain trust in safe travelling in the foreseen future for the purpose of obtaining experiences and leisure activities, but till then it would be the matter of surviving on the market and overcome the pandemic. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/99445 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/99443 Title: Motivation and its effect on employee performance in the hospitality industry : a systematic review Abstract: This paper will be reviewing articles from the Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality from 2017 to 2020 to establish a database of studies that have evaluated various relationships between motivation and performance of employees within the hospitality industry. This journal ranked amongst one of the highest within hospitality and tourism journals in 2021 (SJR: Scientific Journal Rankings; Scopus) From one hundred and twenty-two articles, twenty-six met the final criteria for further analysis. This systematic literature review set out to establish the most current research articles pertaining to what these motivations equate to and how thus far, they have been used or said to contribute to the measure of employee performance. Prominent concepts identified from this review suggest that performance is proven positively mostly by certain intrinsic motivational factors that are the main driving forces within organisations. The general understanding is that employees need to feel psychologically connected and safe in their work environment, to be motivated and engaged to work. The natural disposition of this highly volatile and fast-paced industry is that it makes it harder to measure performance accurately, and because of its essence of immediacy routine is not consistent. Therefore, teams need to be highly proactive and motivated on a deeply personal and individual level, in order to perform at their best. Results of the database which were analysed and reviewed were presented and discussed. Recommendations follow, to assist the platform of research about these theories, to encourage more assessments and to assist in further data collection where applicable. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/99443 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/99441 Title: Determinants of profitability amongst travel intermediaries within the Maltese tourism value chain : case study of a local incoming agent Abstract: This study uses regression tests to examine the determinants of profitability amongst travel intermediaries within the Maltese tourism value chain by using a case study of a local incoming tour operator for the period 2005 to 2019. The model employed in this dissertation draws from the standard definition for profitability and uses profit margin ratios as a unit of measure. Based on previous studies, the model includes a measure relating to the size of the company (this being the average price per tourist handled), a cost efficiency ratio and a measure to capture external factors such as the firm’s market share relative to the total air seat capacity. This study leads to three main conclusions, such that cost efficiency is a significant determinant of incoming agent’s profitability. Secondly, that the spend per tourist to the organisation leads to a significant and positive impact on profitability. Lastly, that a firm’s market share of tourists handled over a country’s air seat capacity is a significant determinant of profitability with a positive sign, indicating that a firm would need to keep the same growth rate as a destination’s capacity increases, to keep the same profitability rate. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/99441 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/99439 Title: Adapting to guest expectations post COVID-19 : an analysis on five-star hotels in the Maltese hospitality sector Abstract: Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, the tourism industry was one of the most significantly growing sectors throughout the world. The unprecedented global travel restrictions as well as regulations which establishments must follow, have caused a severe disruption to tourism. It is without a doubt that once given the opportunity, individuals will begin their long-awaited travel plans. Yet, travelling is not what it used to be and many service offerings had to be modified to deliver a safe and uplifting guest experience. Not to mention that the closure of many establishments has taken a toll on the price guests are willing to pay as well as the workers in the tourism field who have opted to move out of the industry. The research study will focus on an in-depth analysis on guests’ expectations if these expectations have changed post COVID-19 and as well as how managers must adapt to these expectations. The participants of this study are recognized personnel in five-star Hotels who have first-hand knowledge in this field. Guests staying in a five-star Hotel were also asked to answer a questionnaire to analyze their views. The data was collected and investigated through qualitative data and supported through secondary data from journals, books, and articles. The results highlight the importance of staff training and multitasking, adapting to changing regulations without altering the service offered as well as forecasting expectations to avoid any negative reviews. The collected material may prove to be significant for the future of the industry as it foresees what needs to be done and improved upon to keep five-star hotels at the top. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/99439 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z