COVID-19 and government interventions in the hospitality industry in Igbo land: A pilot report

COVID-19 affected the hospitality sector negatively, with 75 million jobs being at risk then, globally. Hotels in Nigeria reduced staff strength and salaries, suffered limited/zero patronage, and in some cases, closed down completely; hence, making government’s intervention inevitable. This study is aimed at investigating government interventions in the hospitality industry in Igboland during COVID-19, with the following objectives: (i) to document government interventions in the hospitality industry during COVID-19, (ii) to itemize the benefits of government interventions in the sector during the pandemic, and (iii) to record the implication of government interventions in the hospitality industry and forecast future implications. The study employed the qualitative method using thematic analysis based on pragmatic and constructivist paradigms. The findings revealed government interventions in the use of facemasks, social distancing, and the provision of financial aid. However, there were limited or no information on financial assistance to hotels. While sit-at-home restriction was effective in curtailing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, hotels recorded economic losses as a result, and in extreme cases, shut down after the pandemic. Consequently, the need to establish bail-out/emergency funds for the hospitality industry is inevitable and imperative. This study is significant to hospitality stakeholders within and outside the study area, and a contribution to COVID-19 discourse.