Examining the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism companies’ operations in Arusha City, Tanzania

Abstract

The emergence of the COVID- 19 pandemic raised the eyebrows of citizens across the globe. No one was left untouched economically and socially. To amount for the calamity that engulfed the whole world, this study endeavored to examine the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism companies' operations among the selected tourism companies in Arusha city. The study employed a descriptive survey to collect and analyze data. The self-constructed questionnaire was designed to determine the validity of the instrument. A pilot study was carried out to determine the reliability of the study using the Cronbach Alfa Coefficient, which resulted in a score of .784. The study comprised a population of 240 employees and the number of selected employees as respondents to the questionnaire survey was determined to be 71. Generally, the findings revealed that Covid-19 brought several effects on human resources function in the tourism company operators. The study concluded that the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative implication on tourism sectors in several ways for both employers and employees. The study further argues that new ways to rescue companies during pandemics must be put in place to help secure jobs and guarantee sustainable livelihood of employees.