‘Fall to Rise’ : A Quest to Revive Performance of Sri Lanka’s Boutique Hotels in Post-Easter Attack

  • Ranitha Sachinthana Weerarathna SLIIT
  • Nipuni Jayasinghe
  • Tharuka Ellepola
  • Nimesh Balasuriya
  • Eashani Uddeepa
  • Umasha Kanumale

Abstract

This study aims to identify the factors influencing the business performance of boutique hotels in Sri Lanka, in particular, those factors that impact the most post-Easter Sunday attacks. Three major factors were identified based on past literature; these were operators’ experience and strategies, financial structure and marketing strategies. During May to July, 2020, data were collected via a questionnaire to respondents, who are owners of 53 boutique hotels. Snowball sampling was used as the sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS stastical software and multiple regression was used to identify the factors that influence the performance of boutique hotels the most. The study findings conclude that the -operator’s previous experience and strategies- is the factor that influences business performance the most. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate/examine how boutique hotels have regained their business performance in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attack. The analysis revealed that boutique hotels have adopted the local market strategy, the social media marketing strategy, discounts and promotional strategies, the employee lay off strategy and the employee training & development strategy to regain business performance post-Easter Sunday attacks.  This study is significant for boutique hotel owners to maximize their profits and for the government to implement better tourism-related policies, to revive Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

REFERENCES

Adams, R. (2017) Marketing Strategies to Fuel Your Business Growth [online], Entrepreneur.com.
Available at:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/299335
[Accessed: 10th Aug 2020]

Aggett, M. (2007) What has influenced growth in the UK’s boutique hotel sector? International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, v.19(02), pp.169–177.

Anhar, L. (2001) The Definition of Boutique Hotels. Consulting & Valuation Analyst at HVS International [online].
Available at:
https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4010409.html
[Accessed 12th Jun 2020].

Antyra Solutions (2019) Researched and Published By ANTYRA SOLUTIONS (PRIVATE) LIMITED 2019 Sri Lanka Hotel Sector Impact Online Photo by Thiago Cerqueira on Unsplash. [online] Antyra Solutions.
Available at:
https://www.antyrasolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Sri-Lanka-Hotel-Impact-Report-Vol2.pdf
[Accessed 10th June 2020].

Asadullah, M., & Rehman, Z. (2015) A comparative study on financial performance of hotel industry in Pakistan (serena hotel & Marriott hotel). Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Sports, v.8, pp.42-54.
Available at:
http://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JTHS/article/download/22820/22731
[Accessed 12th Jun 2020]

Bagiran, D., Kurgen, H., Maral, B., and Ozeren, E. (2011) Entrepreneurial marketing: The interface between marketing and entrepreneurship. European Journal of Social Sciences, v,26(3), pp.340 – 357.

Baum, T. (2013) International Perspectives on Women and Work in Hotels, Catering and Tourism. International Labor Organization 2013.

BBC News. (2019) Sri Lanka attacks: What we know about the Easter bombings. [online]
Available at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48010697
[Accessed 1st Apr 2020]

Boin, A. and Lagadec, P. (2000) Preparing for the future: critical challenges in crisis management. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, v,8(4), pp.185–191.
Brotherton, B. (2004) Critical success factors in UK budget hotel operations. International Journal of Operation and Production Management, v.24(9), pp.944–69.

Camillo, A.A. (2015) A Global Perspective on the Strategic Enterprise Risk Management.

Caterer. (2005) Market snapshot Boutique hotels. [online]
Available at:
https://www.thecaterer.com/news/hotel/market-snapshot-boutique-hotels
[Accessed 10th Jun. 2020].

Cental Bank of Sri Lanka. (2019) Annual Report 2019 | Central Bank of Sri Lanka [online],
Available at:
https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/publications/economic-and-financial-reports/annual-reports/annual-report-2019
[Accessed 4th Apr 2020].

Chen, R.J.C. and Chen, J.S. (2003) Terrorism Effects on Travel Arrangements and Tourism Practices. International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration, V.4(3), pp.49–63.

Chin, J., Wu, M.C. and Hsieh, L.F. (2012) Strategic planning of optimal resource allocation in response to global financial crisis – a study of international tourist hotels. Applied Economics, V.45(23), pp.3316–3328.

Chiou, W., Wan, C. and Lee, H. (2008) Virtual experience vs. brochures in the advertisement of scenic spots: How cognitive preferences and order effects influence advertising effects on consumers. Tourism Management, v.29(1), pp.146–150.

Degryse, H., Goeij, P.D. and Kappert, P. (2010) The impact of firm and industry characteristics on small firms’ capital structure. Small Business Economics, [online] V.38(4), pp.431–447.
Available at:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11187-010-9281-8
[Accessed 11th Nov. 2019].

Dev, C., Plaschka, G., Verma, R., and Victorino, L. (2005) Service innovation and customer choices in the hospitality industry, Journal article of Hotel Administration The Scholarly Commons [online],
Available at:
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/09604520510634023
[Accessed 20th June 2020].

Dincer, F.I., Dincer, M.Z. and Avunduk, Z.B. (2016) Marketing strategies for boutique hotels. The case of Istanbul, v.1(2), pp.94–106.

Dmour, A.A. (2018) The Impact of the Reliability of the Accounting Information system upon the Business Performance via the Mediating Role of the Quality of Financial Reporting. The International Journal of Accounting and Business Society, V.26(1), pp.78–111.

Drakos, K. and Kutan, A.M. (2003) Regional Effects of Terrorism on Tourism in Three Mediterranean Countries. Journal of Conflict Resolution, [online] V.47(5), pp.621–641. Available at:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022002703258198
[Accessed 6th Aug 2020].

Elgonemy, A.R. (2002) Debt-Financing Alternatives. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, V.43(3), pp.7–21.

FaladeObalade, T.A. and Dubey, S. (2014) Managing Tourism as a source of Revenue and Foreign direct investment inflow in a developing Country: The Jordanian Experience. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences, V.3(3).

Fearn-Banker, K. (2011) Crisis Communications: a casebook approach (4th edition). New York: Routledge.

Fernando, S., Bandara, J. and Smith, C. (2016) Tourism in Sri Lanka. The Routledge Handbook of Tourism in Sri Lanka, pp.251–264.

Fernando, S., Bandara, J.S. and Smith, C. (2013) Regaining Missed Opportunities: The Role of Tourism in Post-war Development in Sri Lanka. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, V.18(7), pp.685–711.

Frei, F.X. (2008) The Four Things a Service Business Must Get Right. [online] Harvard Business Review.
Available at:
https://hbr.org/2008/04/the-four-things-a-service-business-must-get-right
[Accessed 11th Aug 2020]

Freund, D.F. de and Munsters, W. (2004) Developments in the Hotel Industry: Design meets Historic Properties.

Ghebregiorgis, F. (2018) Factors Influencing Employee Performance in Hotel-A Comparative Study of Government and Privately Owned Hotels in Eritrea. International Journal of Research in Business Studies and Management, v.5(11), pp.01–09.

Grzywacz, R. and Żegleń, P. (2014) Principles of tourism and recreation. Rzeszów: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Rzeszowskiego, p.90.

Hales, C. (2005) Rooted in Supervision, Branching into Management: Continuity and Change in the Role of First-Line Manager. Journal of Management Studies, V.42(3), pp.471–506.

Hall, C.M. (2010) Crisis events in tourism: subjects of crisis in tourism. Current Issues in Tourism, v.13(5), pp.401 –417.
Hardware, M. (2016) Boutique hotel building maintenance: A key to social media differentiation. [online] Clean & Polish Building Solutions, Inc. | Washington, D.C. | Building Maintenance.
Available at:
https://www.cleanandpolish.com/blog/boutique-hotel-building-maintenance-a-key-to-social-media-differentiation/#:~:text=Companies%20One%20Goal
[Accessed 11th March 2020].

Hartesvelt, V. and Mark (2006) Building a Better Boutique Hotel. Lodging Hospitality, v.62(14), pp.32-44.

Igi-global.com. (2020) What is Business performance | IGI Global. [online]
Available at:
https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/role-of-intellectual-capital-in-women-entrepreneurs-business-performance/3068
[Accessed 25th June 2020]

Info entrepreneurs organization. (2009) Crisis management and business continuity planning. [online]
Available at:
https://www.infoentrepreneurs.org/en/guides/crisis-management-and-business-continuity-planning
[Accessed 10th June 2020].

Jones, D.L., Day, J. and Felitti, D.Q. (2013) Emerging Definitions of Boutique and Lifestyle Hotels: A Delphi Study. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, V.30(7), pp.715–731.

Juliana, N., Vincent, B., Evans, A. and Zachary, A. (2017) Strategic Planning Systems and Firm Performance in the Export Processing Zones. American Journal of Industrial and Business Management, V.7, pp.487–500.

Kim, W., and Ayoun, B. (2005) Ratio analysis for the hospitality industry: a cross sector comparison of financial trends in the lodging, restaurants, airline and amusement sectors. Journal of Hospitality Financial Management, 13(1), 1-33.

Kosaka, K. (2018) How to Define and Measure Marketing Objectives: A Start-to-Finish Guide. [online] Alexa Blog.
Available at:
https://blog.alexa.com/marketing-objective
[Accessed 16th Jun 2020].

Kotler, P., Brown, J. and Makens, J. (2010). New Jersey, NY: Pearson Prentice Hall. Marketing for hospitality and tourism.

Lim, W. and Endean, M. (2009) Elucidating the Aesthetic and Operational Characteristics of UK Boutique Hotels. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, v.21(1), pp.38–51.

Looy, A. and Shafagatova, A. (2016) Business process performance measurement. a structured literature review of indicators, measures and metrics.

Loss, L. (2019) Importance of Tourism Industry Grows | .TR. [online] www.tourism-review.com.
Available at:
https://www.tourism-review.com/tourism-industry-is-the-pillar-of-economy-news11210
[Accessed 1st Sep 2020]

Loureiro, S.M.C., Rita, P. and Sarmento, E.M. (2019) What is the core essence of small city boutique hotels? International Journal of culture, tourism and hospitality research, V.14(1), pp.44–62.

Mark, F. (2015) The Munich Olympics Massacre and the Development of Counter-Terrorism in Australia. Intelligence and National Security.

Mayberry, M. (2014) 4 Simple Strategies to Improve Your Business Success Rate. [online] Entrepreneur.com.
Available at:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/239706
[Accessed 11th Aug 2020]

Milbank, D. (2020) Opinion | When you drown the government in the bathtub, people die. Washington Post. [online]
Available at:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/10/when-you-drown-government-bathtub-people-die
[Accessed 14th Jul 2020].

Milbank, D. (2020) Opinion | When you drown the government in the bathtub, people die. Washington Post. [online]
Available at:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/10/when-you-drown-government-bathtub-people-die
[Accessed 14th Jul 2020].

Mintel, (2011) Boutique hotels in the US-July 2011, London, United Kingdom: Author. [Google Scholar].

Mintel. (2019) Mintel: Global Market Research & Market Insight. [online]
Available at:
https://www.mintel.com
[Accessed 15th Jun. 2020].

Moosa, I. (2002) Foreign direct investment: theory, evidence, and practice. Choice Reviews Online, V.40(01).

Moraleda, L.F., Ibanez, C.L., Mazon, A.M. and Molinero, T.V. (2019) Willingness to Pay More to Stay at a Boutique Hotel with an Environmental Management System. A Preliminary Study in Spain. Sustainability, V.11(18), p.5134.

Munasinghe, M., Jayasinghe, P., Deraniyagala, Y., Matlaba, V.J., Santos, J.F. dos, Maneschy, M.C. and Mota, J.A. (2019). Value–Supply Chain Analysis (VSCA) of crude palm oil production in Brazil, focusing on economic, environmental and social sustainability. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 17, pp.161–175.

Neely, A. (2005) The evolution of performance measurement research. Int J Oper Prod Manag, v.5(12), pp.1264–1277.

Negu, E.A., Vintila, G. and Gherghina, S.C. (2018) The Impact of Capital Structure on Risk and Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence for the Bucharest Stock Exchange Listed Companies. International Journal of Financial Studies, v.6(2), pp.41.

Poku, K., Zakari, M. and Soali, A. (2013) Impact of Service Quality on Customer Loyalty in the Hotel Industry: An Empirical Study from Ghana. International Review of Management and Business Research, V.2(2), pp.600–610.

Poulston, J.M. (2009) Working Conditions in Hospitality: Employees’ Views of the Dissatisfactory Hygiene Factors. Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism, V. 10(1), pp.23–43.

Rabontu, C. and Niculescu, G. (2009) Boutique Hotels - New Appearances in Hotel Industry in Romania. Annals of the University of Petrosani, Economics, [online] 9(2), pp.209–214.
Available at:
https://econpapers.repec.org/article/petannals/v_3a9_3ai_3a2_3ay_3a2009_3ap_3a209-214.htm
[Accessed 4 Sep. 2020].

Rafeek, M. and Samaratunga, P. (2011) Trade Liberalisation and its Impact on the Rice Sector of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Journal of Agricultural Economics, V.3(0), p.143.

Rahman, S. (2018) Emerging Built Heritage Commodification of Boutique Hotels in world Heritage Evidence from George town, Peng, Malaysia. PLANNING MALAYSIA JOURNAL, V.16(8), pp.26–41.

Refugees, U.N.H.C. for (2006) Refworld | Sri Lanka: Funding the “Final War”: LTTE Intimidation and Extortion in the Tamil Diaspora. [online] Refworld.
Available at:
https://www.refworld.org/docid/4455d48f4.html
[Accessed 12th Aug 2020].

Rittichainuwat, B.R. (2013) Tourists’ and tourism suppliers’ perceptions toward crisis management on tsunami. Tourism Management, v.34, pp.112–121.

Roser, M., Nagdy, M. and Ritchie, H. (2013) Terrorism. [online] Our World in Data. Available at:
https://ourworldindata.org/terrorism
[Accessed 21st Aug.2020].

Russo, M. (2014) The Best Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka. [online] The Culture-ist. Available at:
https://www.thecultureist.com/2014/05/22/the-best-boutique-hotels-in-sri-lanka
[Accessed 21st Aug.2020].

Sathiamoorthy, V., De Zilva, M.M.S., Bandara, E.C.P.K., Leelarathne, E.K.C.J.S., Weligodapola, H.W.M.C. and Lokeshwara, A.A. (2020a). Terrorism and its Implications on Small Hotels in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences [online], v.10(5).
Available at:
https://hrmars.com/hrmars_papers/Terrorism_and_its_Implications_on_Small_Hotels_in_Sri _Lanka.pdf
[Accessed 4 Sep. 2020].

Schultz, D. and Peltier, J. (2013) Social media’s slippery slope: Challenges, opportunities and research directions. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 7(2), pp.86–99.

Siggs, A. and Mcintosh, A. (2005) An Exploration of the Experiential Nature of Boutique Accommodation. Journal of Travel Research, V.44(1), pp.74–81.

Silva, C. (2020). Tourism industry worst-hit by COVID-19; shifts focus on staff salaries, job security | Daily FT. [online] www.ft.lk.
Available at:
http://www.ft.lk/front-page/Tourism-industry-worst-hit-by-COVID-19-shifts-focus-on-staff-salaries-job-security/44-697570
[Accessed 5th Jun. 2020].

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (2019) Annual Statistical Report 2019. p.120.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. (2019) Annual Statistical Report [online], Available at:
https://www.sltda.gov.lk/

Srinivasan, P., Kumar, P.S. and Ganesh, L. (2012) Tourism and economic growth in Sri Lanka: an ARDL bounds testing approach. The Romanian Economic Journal, v.15(45), pp.211–225.

Vujovic, S., Arsic, L. and Premovic, J. (2018) Financing in Tourism: Basic Models of Financing the Accommodation Offer. Journal of Business and Hotel Management, V.7(02), pp.223–243.

Walker, A. (2015) Paris attacks: Assessing the economic impact. BBC News. [online], Available at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-34965000
[Accessed 22nd Jul 2020].

Wall, T., Michie, J., Patterson, M., Wood, S.., Sheehan, M., Clegg, C. and West, M. (2004) On the validity of subjective measures of company performance. Personnel Psychology, 57(1), pp.95–118.

Wood, E. (2006) The internal predictors of business performance in small firms. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 13(3), pp.441–452.

World Tourism Organization. (2013). p.16.

World Travel & Tourism Council. (2018) World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) | Travel & Tourism. [online]
Available at:
https://wttc.org
[Accessed 16th Apr 2020].

World Travel & Tourism Council. (2019) World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) | Travel & Tourism. [online]
Available at:
https://wttc.org
[Accessed 4th Sep 2020].

Zulkiffli, S. and Perera, N. (2011) SIBR Conference on Interdisciplinary Business and Economics Research. In: A literature analysis on business performance for SMES - subjective or objective measures? pp.1–9.
Published
2022-06-03
How to Cite
WEERARATHNA, Ranitha Sachinthana et al. ‘Fall to Rise’ : A Quest to Revive Performance of Sri Lanka’s Boutique Hotels in Post-Easter Attack. Journal of Accounting, Business and Management (JABM), [S.l.], v. 29, n. 1, p. 1-23, june 2022. ISSN 2622-2167. Available at: <https://journal.stie-mce.ac.id/index.php/jabminternational/article/view/819>. Date accessed: 26 apr. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.31966/jabminternational.v29i1.819.
Section
Articles