IMPACT OF COVID19 ON HOTEL

INDUSTRY OF PHILIPPINES AND

THAILAND:A COMPARATIVE STUDY

JHERVIE B.CATIGAN
 Abstract
 The coronavirus outbreak has hit many countries globally, especially in Asia, where tourism is a primary
economic driver for the GDP. While nobody can predict when things turn back to normal, countries and
destinations, have been starting to adapt to a new reality in travel. Specific executions, including new
safety and hygiene policies, restrictions, and guidelines, have established to mitigate the impact of the
pandemic as well as to be able to prepare when travel can be resumed again. Regarding the global
situation, one of the countries which are getting the most impact, especially in the tourism sector from
coronavirus is Thailand and Philippines. . The study revealed that after the policies and regulations related
to travel and tourism began to take place in the country, particularly from the government and institutional
level. It had a significant impact directly to the hotel industry in Thailand and Philippines based on the
data, findings, implications, and results of the study.
 INTRODUCTION
Without a doubt, hotel industry is among the sectors that have been greatly affected by the COVID-19
pandemic. The closing of borders, airports, and hotels as well as restrictions on mass gatherings, land travel
and related services across the world put around 100 to 120 million jobs at risk, as estimated by the World
Tourism Organization.

In the first quarter of 2020, the period when the travel restrictions and lockdowns in most countries
started, international tourist arrivals declined by 22% resulting in an estimated loss of US$80bn in global
tourism receipts. In such period, 97 destinations have totally or partially closed their borders for tourists, 65
destinations have suspended international flights totally or partially, and 39 destinations were implementing
the closing of borders (i.e., banning the arrivals from specific countries).
OBJECTIVES:

 This study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on hotel industry of Philippines and
Thailand.
 1. To determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on hotel industry of Philippines and
Thailand.
 2. To compare the guest arrivals of Philippines and Thailand during pandemic.
 3. To compare the accommodation of Philippines and Thailand during pandemic.
HYPOTHESIS

 HO: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic is relative to the

guest arrival and accommodations of the Philippines and
Thailand.
 METHODOLOGY
 This study employed descriptive-comparative research design to compare
the impact of Covid19 on hotel industry of Philippines and Thailand. A
descriptive comparative design is appropriate for existing intact units for
comparison and does not involve manipulating an independent
variable (Cantrell, 2011). It is mostly used when the purpose of the
investigation is to describe the characteristics of the individual or events
and compare the variables describing the research sample as they
naturally exist (Siedlecki, 2020).
Review of the Literature

 Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on hospitality industry: review of the current

situations and a research agenda.
 Challenges and prospects for the Philippine hotel industry under the pandemic.
Findings and Discussion
The findings of the present investigation are the following:

 The impact of COVID-19 on the guest arrival of Thailand lowered the

numbered of visitors going in the country.
 The impact of COVID-19 to the Philippines in terms of accommodation is
relative to Thailand.
 Restriction brought about the pandemic is one of the factors in the
significant decreased of guests in the hotel industry.
 There is a significant impact brought about the COVID-19 pandemic
especially in hotel industry of Thailand and Philippines.
Conclusions
Based on the findings gathered and observations made by the researcher, the following
conclusions were drawn:
 1. The impact of COVID-19 on the guest arrival of Philippines lowered the numbered of
visitors going in the country.
 2. The impact of COVID-19 on the guest arrival of Thailand lowered the numbered of
visitors going in the country.
 3. The impact of COVID-19 to the Philippines in terms of accommodation is relative to
Thailand.
 4. Restriction brought about the pandemic is one of the factors in the significant decreased of
guests in the hotel industry.
 5. There is a significant impact brought about the COVID-19 pandemic especially in hotel
industry of Thailand and Philippines.
Recommendations

The researchers formulated the following recommendations as drawn

from the findings and conclusions made from the study:
 1. The Department of Tourism could either plan a recovery program
on the guidelines set by the IATF during the onset of the pandemic.
 2. Guests could have a vaccination card during the travel.
 3. Future researchers may also look on the intensive outbreak on the
economic impact of the hotel industry both in Thailand and
Philippines.