New research project: Traveling in England, post Covid-19

I am working with my colleague Dr. Liyuan Wei, a boutique hotel on Oxford, and the regional tourism board to investigate the potential for a mobile app or website to help tourists feel safe when visiting the area. To this end, we are now interviewing people who have travelled in England, during 2021, and who … Continue reading New research project: Traveling in England, post Covid-19

New paper: Stakeholders of the World, Unite!: Hospitality in the time of COVID-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc with many industries, but few have suffered more than the hospitality industry. Not only has leisure travel all but disappeared, but businesses, too, have cancelled all meetings, conferences and other bookings. And, with the lack of clarity about operating conditions, and about evolving customer preferences, hotels are facing an … Continue reading New paper: Stakeholders of the World, Unite!: Hospitality in the time of COVID-19

Some thoughts on Covid-19 and the hospitality sector

Figures released by the ONS show that GDP grew 2.1% in August 2020. Ninety per cent of this growth (or 1.9 percental points) arose from the services sector, and the remaining from production. While this growth falls below the one registered in July (and while monthly GDP is still very much below pre-lockdown levels), it … Continue reading Some thoughts on Covid-19 and the hospitality sector

Impact of the requirement to wear face coverings for hospitality and retail businesses

Earlier this week, the government announced a new set of measures to contain the rise of Covid-19 cases in England. This included the requirement for face coverings (masks or visors) to be worn in a variety of settings. From the Gov.uk website: Customers in private hire vehicles and taxis must wear face coverings (from 23 September).Customers in … Continue reading Impact of the requirement to wear face coverings for hospitality and retail businesses

Do price discounts help in crisis recovery?

When clients disappear, and demand dries up, it is tempting to cut prices. Businesses try to lure customers back with a good deal, particularly those that sell perishable items (for instance, food and flowers), seasonable items (for instance, Father’s Day cards and gifts) and services (for instance, restaurants and hairdressers). Hotel managers, for instance, see … Continue reading Do price discounts help in crisis recovery?

May 2020 round-up

Earlier this month, during one of my runs, I spotted a beautiful mirror, in a skip, outside the flower shop. I took a photo for my “Today’s run” series. But, then, I remembered Denise Agosto’s beautiful post about an abandoned coin on the pavement. In the post, she reflects on how the fear of the … Continue reading May 2020 round-up

Adapting to the new normal – Webinar

Yesterday, I joined a webinar to share my colleague Liyuan Wei and I are supporting a boutique hotel to adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19. The owner of the hotel very kindly joined us, too, to share his perspective – why he reached out to us, what he is getting from this collaboration, … Continue reading Adapting to the new normal – Webinar