A Study on the Future Prospects of Tourist Hostel Operations under Covid – 19: Hostel Operators’ Perspective in Western Province of Sri Lanka
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Date
2021
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
“Tourist hostel” being a novel concept of accommodation category shows an exponential growth
potential in the emerging backpacker market. Backpackers are budget-oriented, shared rooms, and
a non-threatening communal space for travellers who value social interaction (SI) during their
stay. Due to the COVID 19 epidemic, the largest global health pandemic in the century, Tourist
Hostel Operators in Sri Lanka currently deal with substantial controls on hostel operations mainly
imposed on maintenance of social distance and travel restrictions and unable to allow social
interaction which is vital for backpacking and hostel culture. Hence, this study focuses to identify
the nature of the tourists staying at tourist hostels; to explore the nature of tourist hostel operations
before Covid-19 pandemic, and to identify specific challenges faced by tourist hostel operators
under the new normal condition of Covid-19; from operators‟ perspective. Primary data were
collected through semi-structured interviews from 15 selected tourist hostel operators in the
Western province of Sri Lanka which has been listed on Hostelworld website. Purposive sampling
was used to formulate the sample under qualitative research approach, collected data were
transcribed and analyzed by using the content analysis method. As results illustrated, backpacker
travelers were the main customer base mainly from Europe. Budget, SI and travel independence
were identified as the major motives to accommodate in tourist hostels. Before the pandemic,
operators had more focused on enhancing SI with physical and service attributes. However, SI has
been challenged specifically and financial instability, lack of local demand, government
regulations as well due to health concerns during the new normal condition. Even so, operators
willingly encourage SI further without focusing alternative concepts; moving towards non-tourism
activities, focusing alternative tourism concepts such as volunteer tourism, community based
tourism etc. due to reduction on conventional mass tourism. Further, recommending a mechanism
to adopt by highlighting sustainable approach for hostel operations while adhering to mandatory
health and safety protocols imposed by the National Health Authorities.
Keywords: Backpackers; Covid-19 outbreak; Hostel Operators; Social interaction; Tourist hostel
Description
Keywords
Tourist Hostel, Tourism Management, Hospitality Management, Event Management, Covid-19, Hotels Industry