The impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality sector and the growing demand for health-conscious services, with a focus on India

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the global hospitality sector, with travel restrictions and lockdowns causing severe declines in tourism. In 2020, international tourist arrivals fell by 74%, leading to an estimated $1 trillion revenue loss. India’s hospitality sector, contributing 9% t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Geetanjali Sageena, Suneel Kumar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-01-01
Series:Research in Hospitality Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22243534.2024.2440500
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Summary:The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the global hospitality sector, with travel restrictions and lockdowns causing severe declines in tourism. In 2020, international tourist arrivals fell by 74%, leading to an estimated $1 trillion revenue loss. India’s hospitality sector, contributing 9% to GDP, was among the hardest hit, losing ₹1.3 trillion in 2020. However, the pandemic also triggered a growing demand for health-conscious services and wellness tourism, reshaping the industry. Globally, travellers became more focused on hygiene, safety and wellness, prompting hotels and restaurants to adopt stringent sanitation protocols and contactless services. In India, the rise in health-conscious consumer behaviour led to an increased demand for wellness tourism, especially in states like Kerala. Wellness resorts introduced post-pandemic recovery programmes, focusing on immune support and mental well-being. Technology played a crucial role, with hotels adopting contactless services and virtual wellness experiences. Moreover, sustainable practices aligned with wellness tourism, promoting eco-friendly operations and locally sourced products. The shift toward health-conscious services is expected to have long-term implications, with wellness tourism projected to grow significantly, positioning India as a global leader in health and wellness tourism. The sector’s future will focus on integrating traditional practices with modern hospitality management, driven by sustainability and technology.
ISSN:2224-3534
2415-5152