Towards a proactive, capabilities-based continuity framework for the hospitality and tourism industry

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a framework to guide tourism and hospitality businesses, tourism organizations and their communities to collaboratively develop a proactive, capabilities-based continuity plan for disaster or crisis. The framework provided incorporates the existing research and existing business continuity standards to provide actionable steps building community resilience and disaster preparedness. This plan offers the stakeholders a roadmap to adapt when faced with disaster and persist in the pursuit of a strong tourism and hospitality industry.Design/methodology/approachA summary of the key literature is presented alongside international guidance for developing business continuity plans. Incorporating the literature and business continuity standards, this framework offers actionable steps that stakeholders can take to develop preparedness plans for their business, organization and/or community that support disaster resilience for the tourism and hospitality industry.FindingsThe majority of tourism and hospitality businesses are micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses that often lack the capabilities and resources to dedicate to disaster preparedness planning. The available research offers important and meaningful data, yet also finds that businesses fail to plan. The available literature that guides tourism and hospitality businesses to move to action in preparing for disaster is sparse.Originality/valueThis paper brings together theoretical research literature with existing business continuity best practices to create a new framework specifically designed for the tourism and hospitality industry. The result is a practical roadmap to guide stakeholders to build community resilience that benefits tourism and hospitality businesses, tourism organizations and the wider community to build resilience, shorten recovery times and sustain a strong industry/community despite disaster. It will be of value to practitioners, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders involved in the travel and tourism industry.