Small Hotels Research Articles

The Effect of Online Music Therapy Interventions on Reducing Stress Levels in Small Hotel Managers: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Abstract The rapidly changing business environment and increasing uncertainties due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic since 2020 have led to heightened stress levels among managers. This study employed a mixed-method design to examine the effects of online music therapy interventions on reducing stress levels in small hotel managers. Thirteen managers participated in the online music therapy program, which consisted of six weekly music therapy sessions and self-guided music interventions for practice during the week. The music therapy interventions included music-assisted relaxation, improvisation, music listening with drawing, moving with music, song discussion, songwriting, and singing. The intake questionnaire collected participants’ demographic information and musical backgrounds. The Thai Perceived Stress Scale-10 (T-PSS-10) and Visual Analog Scale of Stress (VAS-S) were used to measure perceived stress levels. A paired t-test analysis compared the average participants’ perceived stress scores between pre and post-tests. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in perceived stress scores. Both the VAS-S for music therapy interventions and self-guided music interventions showed significant decreases after participation in each music therapy session and self-guided practice. In conclusion, online music therapy interventions can effectively reduce the perceived stress levels of managers facing uncertainty in small hotel businesses.

Resilience Benchmarking: How Small Hotels Can Ensure Their Survival and Growth during Global Disruptions

Resilience Benchmarking: How Small Hotels Can Ensure Their Survival and Growth during Global Disruptions

Relevance of IPR in Small Businesses

Small businesses in India have always been one of the major occupations in rural as well as urban terrain and they are major source of income for the middle class group. As urbanization has increased the demand for the small services like grocery shops, bakeries, vegetable shops, laundry shops, juice centers, sweet shops, small hotels etc. Majorly the urban population is a mix of all the classes of people but a considerable portion is occupied by the middle and low income group, which has resulted in requirement of small services, and retail shops. As of a result of which the small businesses mushroom in the different localities, in different sizes so that they can cater to all the segments of consumers. Small business organizations contribute to the economy significantly by distributing the finished goods to the ultimate consumers, and they also create jobs in smaller units. The large business organizations contribute to economy by creating jobs in a bulk, economies of scale. The large scale organizations have the accessibility to hire legal professionals like legal advisers and naturally they give the suggestions on legal aspects for a smooth conduct of the business. In this context large or medium sized organizations have proximity to legal protection for their inventions, design, copyrights, trademarks etc, and they consciously protect their rights by patents or trademark and so on. In this article we have made an attempt to understand the extent of application of IPR in small and micro businesses.

BARRIERS TO THE ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES IN SMALL HOTEL BUSINESSES: A QUALITATIVE STUDY IN GHANA

Purpose- By integrating sustainability into their business operations, small tourism and hospitality accommodation enterprises will not only contribute to achieving sustainable development goals 7, 9,12,13 and 14, but also promote a culture of environmental and social consciousness that aligns with the broader objectives of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030. Therefore, this study explores barriers to the adoption of sustainability practices among small hotel businesses in Ghana. Methodology- Using a qualitative research framework and descriptive analysis method, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 16 small hotel managers in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. The interview technique was adopted because it allowed for the acquisition of detailed information from participants on barriers to the adoption of sustainability practices. Findings- The findings revealed a spectrum of internal barriers: lack of awareness and understanding of sustainability principles, attitudes, negligence among hotel staff, and financial constraints. External barriers, such as owner interference in managerial decision-making, exploitative supplier actions, burdensome taxes and levies, and seasonal fluctuations with low hotel patronage, were also identified as the main barriers to the adoption of sustainability practices in small hotel businesses in Ghana. Conclusion- The study concludes by recommending targeted sustainability education and training programs to enhance sustainability awareness and cost-effective practices, while changes in organizational structures such as empowering managers and fostering collaboration between owners and managers are imperative for effective sustainability adoption and integration. Additionally, small hotel businesses should diversify revenue streams beyond peak seasons and, with collaborative efforts, advocate for supportive policies and regulations at all levels to create a conducive environment for the adoption of sustainable practices.

CSR perceptions and practices in small hotels in urban cities

PurposeThis study aims to examine the perception and practices related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implemented in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), focussing on small hotels in London.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research design comprising detailed semi-structured interviews was employed with 12 small hotel owner-managers in central London and its outskirts. The study adopts a social constructionist approach to explore CSR perspectives and practices, along with a social capital framework to investigate how CSR is perceived at the individual level and consequently manifested into CSR practices.FindingsThe findings indicate that a small hotel’s implementation of CSR is influenced by long-term versus short-term considerations, as well as socio-economic and socio-political conditions. Individual-level factors, like hoteliers’ CSR conceptualisation and personal and business values, affect CSR adoption in small hotels. Lastly, institutional-level factors, such as ineffective institutional participation and the hotelier’s cultural background against the cosmopolitan context of a big city, have contributed to a muted response to socially responsible issues.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was conducted with a limited sample of 12 participants from small hotels in London and its outskirts, which may limit the generalisability of the findings. Future research could enhance these findings by involving a larger and more diverse group of participants from various urban areas, potentially employing a quantitative research approach for broader applicability. This study’s insights can guide policymakers in educating small business owners on CSR benefits and implementation. It also proposes how governments could encourage sustainable practices among small hotels seeking to enhance their reputation. Moreover, these findings enable small businesses to develop their stakeholder strategies for greater CSR initiatives.Originality/valueThis study integrates social capital theory into investigating CSR in small hotels in London, broadening the literature on CSR perception and integration, particularly in SMEs and the hospitality sector.

УБЫТОЧНАЯ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ МАЛОГО БИЗНЕСА: ОСОБЕННОСТИ ОЦЕНКИ НАЛОГОВОЙ НАГРУЗКИ

A universal tool has been developed for assessing the tax burden of a loss-making small hotel busi-ness using the "Income minus Expenses" tax system, which quantitatively proves the increase in losses received in operating activities, including due to "input" VAT, due to the accrual of a minimum tax

Confirmatory Factor Analysis for the Strategic Management Model of the Recovery of Smes Hotel Businesses During the COVID-19 Situation

Objective: To examine the determinants of confirmatory factor analysis of business recovery strategy factors that affect expected business outcome after being affected by the COVID-19 situation of medium and small hotels. Theoretical Framework: This study uses a Turnaround Theory, especially the theory of Crisis Management. Method: This research uses a quantitative approach with a questionnaire as the tool to collect the data design using a sample of 298 with the Purposive Sampling technique. The data analysis technique used is Structural equation modeling (SEM); with the AMOS device to test the statistics of the goodness of fit of the measurement model with the empirical data. Result: From examining the statistics of the goodness of fit of the measurement model with the empirical data, it was found that the business recovery strategy model that affects expected business outcomes had been consistent with the empirical data. This met the criteria for considering the harmony between the measurement model and the empirical data. Moreover, each question had demonstrated a statistical significance level of 0.01. The results of testing the influence of all 6 paths found that all the paths had had a positive influence, and the predictive power of the expected business outcome had been 67.1 percent. Implications: The COVID-19 outbreak has had an impact on hotel operations and revenue. As a result, demand and service activities contracted significantly. Therefore, to alleviate this negative impact and business recovery. Originality/Value: After reviewing the literature, it was found that. It was found that various strategies were used in response to this crisis. The researcher therefore analysis on strategies for business recovery So that it can be used as a model for restoring businesses after being affected by crisis situations.

Moderating Effect of Industry Forces on Entrepreneurial Orientation of Small Hotels Business Performance in Ghana

The study examined the moderating effect of industry forces on entrepreneurial orientation to impact on business performance of small-size hotels. A quantitative research approach and a questionnaire survey technique were used to collect the data from 396 small-size hotels. The conceptual model was analyzed through a partial least square using structural equation modelling. It was observed that the direct path relationship of industry forces and business performance was all positive and significant. The study introduced some novelty aspects such as the substitution of construct using industry forces as moderation in the theoretical framework to enhance entrepreneurial orientation to impact on business performance. The study recommends that small hotels strategically position themselves to improve their business performance amid industry forces.

Resilience model for a destination support: Pattaya, Thailand

This research focuses on resilience and sustainable development in the tourism sector during the Covid-19 pandemic, using Pattaya - a renowned beach destination in Thailand – as the studied context. Since 2020, the pandemic has significantly impacted the tourism sector and its supply chain. The consequences include the stagnation of tourism and hospitality services and other economic activities due to lockdown measures and other restrictions. To investigate Pattaya's resilience in the face of these challenges, and post-pandemic recovery, this research adopted the conceptual framework on economic resilience and tourism recovery proposed by McCartney et al. (2021), as a theoretical lens to analyse events in Pattaya. The qualitative research method was employed, using in-depth interviews with public and private stakeholders, such as local authorities, large and small hotels, tourism business agencies and relevant organisations. The results show that the tourism industry, similarly to other sectors, was adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the slow implementation of strategies proved inadequate in coping with the uncertainty. Local entrepreneurs require clearer and more supportive measures to reopen their businesses and resume economic activities.

The Role of Organizational Innovativeness and Size on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Adoption During COVID-19

This research aims to advance the understanding of the moderating effect of organizational innovativeness (OI) and organizational size on the relationship between Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) adoption and the technological, organizational, and environmental elements of the Technology- Organization- Environment theoretical framework (TOE) in the hospitality industry during the pandemic. A sample of 502 hotel owners and managers in Greece participated in the e-survey. The results indicated that OI has a moderating effect on the relationship between ICTs and the technology readiness of the hotel. In addition, concerning the size of the hotel, small hotels with 11-50 employees are a moderator on the adoption of ICTs within the environmental uncertainty of the COVID-19 outbreak. Theoretical and practical implications of the outcomes are discussed in this study.

INTERNATIONAL HOTEL SERVICE INDUSTRY TRENDS

Objective. The objective of the article is an overview of the current state of the global market of hotel services, an analysis of trends in the hotel industry. Methods. Data from international hotel companies, data from hotel groups by the number of rooms, and the main global trends in the hotel industry were used in the study of trends in the world market of the hotel industry. Results. The article examines the current state of the world market of hotel services and analyzes current global trends in the hospitality industry using data from international hotel companies, data from hotel groups by number of rooms, as well as the main international trends in the hotel industry. The results of the article are that the hotel industry has undergone enormous changes and destruction over the past two decades. In order to survive in the conditions of modern competition, hotel companies began to introduce innovations and monitor trends in the hotel industry. Hospitality international companies represent an industry in constant flux, where major hotel companies compete with innovation and growth strategies to remain competitive in the global hospitality industry market. The development of international hotel companies is the result of the expansion of the world market of hotel services and reflects the general trend towards globalization. The modern global hotel industry is characterized by several key trends - deeper specialization of services, the use of information systems for technological support and marketing, the creation of hotel chains, the integration of capital with other sectors of the economy, the use of scientific management and the development of a network of small hotel enterprises.

Feasibility of supplying electrical energy demands with off-grid hybrid renewable systems to supply a small hotel in the desert

<p align="justify">Considering the world’s ever-increasing need for energy, as well as the limited resources, pollution, and climate change caused by fossil fuels, it shows the necessity of using renewable energies more than ever. Iran has many tourist attractions. It is difficult to supply energy to welfare places in some of these areas due to the long distance from the city or the vulnerable environment, so their energy supply system is designed independently of the grid. Using a diesel generator to supply electricity can be considered the first solution for a hotel’s off-grid system, but this scenario has high costs and causes pollution. The second way is to use renewable energies such as wind and solar, but these energies are not stable due to weather conditions. One suggestion to overcome the periodicity of renewable energy sources such as the sun and wind is to develop a hybrid energy system in which excess electrical energy can be converted and stored. These resources, together with energy storage, can provide a system with better reliability that is suitable for off-grid applications. In the third case, the diesel generator can be combined with renewable energy. In this article, the electricity supply is for a small hotel with an area of 3995 m<sup>2</sup> located in the Varzaneh desert of Isfahan province. The average electrical load required is 1530 kWh/day, and the peak load is 118.76 kW. The simulation of the system has been done with HOMER software, and the results have been categorized based on the three scenarios mentioned as well as the total net present cost of the system. With the obtained results, it is clear that the most optimal system is one with a combined supplier of a diesel generator, a photovoltaic panel, a wind turbine, and battery storage. The NPC value of this system is $1,995,016; the renewable rate is 87.1%; and its emissions are 84% lower than in the case where only the diesel generator supplier has them.<strong><em></em></strong></p>

Analyze Strategies for Diversifying the Country's Economy Driven by Tourism Using Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand as a Case Study. To Reduce Fragility and Increase Economic Stability

Purpose: This study investigates ways to enhance economic stability in tourism-dependent regions, using Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand, as a case study.
 Theoretical Reference: Thailand's heavy reliance on tourism, constituting about 17% of its GDP, sets the context. The study gathers insights from SMEs in Chonburi Province through in-depth interviews.
 Method: In-depth interviews with SMEs reveal challenges faced by small hotel businesses, including high taxation and substantial expenses, with a focus on labor costs and pre-existing issues like excessive charges.
 
 Results and Conclusion: Prioritizing the hotel industry over attracting new tourists is key. Post-COVID-19 economic stability in Pattaya's tourism industry requires a comprehensive approach involving industry revitalization, diversification, support for local businesses, sustainable practices, infrastructure investments, marketing, and government-industry collaboration.
 Implications of Research: This research underscores the importance of addressing challenges in tourism-driven regions during crises and offers practical insights for safeguarding economic stability.
 Originality/Value: The study's unique focus on Pattaya provides valuable insights for similar regions, offering strategies to mitigate vulnerabilities caused by external shocks like pandemics.

Learn about disability rights lawsuit before the Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in the case of Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer (https://bit.ly/45QuEAS). The case could curb activists’ ability to bring lawsuits against hotels and other places to ensure they are accessible and compliant with the ADA. The plaintiff, a woman with a disability, served as a “tester” and analyzed hundreds of hotels websites to identify whether they included accessibility information mandated by the ADA. She filed more than 600 lawsuits against small hotels and other places of public accommodation.

Understanding and Overcoming the Limitations to Strategy Execution in Hotels within the Small and Medium Enterprises Sector

This paper underscores the challenges and significance of strategy formulation and execution, especially in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) hospitality sector. Despite decades of research and professional scrutiny, strategy implementation remains daunting in strategic management. The research is paramount to small hotels, especially in a rapidly changing and pandemic-stricken environment and the broader tourism sector. It equips managers in the hospitality and tourism sectors with insights to navigate implementation challenges and adopt innovative methods to bridge the gap between strategy formulation and its successful execution. The research findings, aimed at enhancing decision-making, productivity, and competitive edge, will benefit various stakeholders, including organizational managers, academic scholars, policymakers, regulators, and the general public. These findings will be disseminated through academic and professional channels to serve the public interest and contribute substantially to existing knowledge. Notably, while this study provides valuable insights, it does present limitations, mainly its focus on top management and its restricted observational scope due to the pandemic. Future research might consider broadening the participant pool and studying larger hotels across different regions to enhance generalizability.

The Impact of Web 2.0 on the Website Use of Small Italian Hotels

Purpose: The digital revolution is causing profound transformations, characterised by how companies and customers approach the market, helping to significantly transform the tourism sector. Traditionally, the Internet was used to search for timetables, find information and compare prices, or book basic tourist products. Today, thanks to Web 2.0, people can create their own trips by following the advice and examples of other users on the Net who have shared the contents of their tour and expressed opinions on their own travel experience. The study aims to investigate how small accommodation enterprises use their website for marketing following the development of Web 2.0, which differs from the initial concept of the Internet because it departs from the classic static websites. Study design/methodology/approach: After the analysis of the literature, which relates to the relationship that has gradually developed over the years between small businesses in the tourism sector and the use of the Internet for marketing purposes, it was decided to carry out an empirical survey on a sample of websites of small Italian hotels. The research hypothesis is that website adoption is conditioned by the marketing communication of the tourist experience that favours interactive tools. Sixty websites of micro-enterprises with less than thirty rooms were analysed, revealing an important use of social media for marketing communication. Findings: The research results show that small hotel enterprises present a limited use of the website, limited to the web presence, while the customer relationship is managed through social networks. Originality/value: This work is believed to provide useful ideas for starting a more substantial study activity in the field of small accommodation to understand the reasons behind the low use of the website.

How Hospitality Entrepreneurs Change Business Practices Under COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Small and Medium Sized Entrepreneurs at Lower Northeastern Thailand

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the adaption methods of hospitality entrepreneurs during the Covid-19 pandemic and the influenced variables for business adaptations. Theoretical framework: This study was fundamentally based on the theory of entrepreneurial bricolage behavior which find to understand the entrepreneurs do during the resource constraints due to the covid-19 pandemic. Design/Methodology/Approach: The quantitative study is using questionnaires as a tool. The methods of adaptation for innovative hospitality management used by small and medium size hospitality entrepreneurs in Lower Northeastern Thailand. The sample population included 360 individuals with 55% females and 45 % males. Most of the participants were owners (89%) of small hotels and guesthouses some with restaurants and other hospitality facilities such as spas and coffee shops. Finding: An entrepreneurial adaptation of cost reductions in terms of facilities and personnel, as well as renegotiation with all stake holders including the government, that assisted far less in developing economies (EMDEs) and emerging markets then in European countries. Research, practical and social implications: The methods discussed in the paper includes: adjustment in investment deferral; adjustment in effective cost reduction; reduce operating costs; management inventory downsizing; concentrate on innovation; negotiating the terms of various contracts; adjustment in getting help from the government and concentrate on activities that generate income for business. Originality/Value: The value of the study is the adaptation is something constructed or created from a diverse range of available things. It introduces the information for small and medium size hospitality business adaptation during the crisis which effects the business operations. Most of the entrepreneurs will apply the adaptational variables for business sustainability and improve business performance.

Techno-economic analysis of a biogas-fueled micro gas turbine cogeneration system with seasonal thermal energy storage

In this study, the techno-economic performance of an integrated energy system, which consisted of a biogas-fueled micro gas turbine, seasonal thermal energy storage using a borehole heat exchanger, and a heat pump for meeting the electricity and heating demand of a small hotel, was carried out. In this proposed system, excess heat from the MGT was charged into the BHE. During the periods of high heating demand, stored waste heat in the ground was extracted by a heat pump. A data-driven model of the MGT based on feed-forward neural networks was developed and validated to provide fast and accurate prediction results. A Modelica/Dymola modeling framework was then established to evaluate the techno-economic performance of the integrated energy system over its lifetime. An L16 orthogonal array given by the Taguchi method was employed to assess the influences of the number of the borehole, the length of the borehole, the distance between boreholes, and the flow rate in the BHE on the energy consumption of the heat pump system, and the NPV of the integrated energy system. First, single objective optimization was performed for both the energy consumption and the NPV separately. The importance order and contribution ratios of the design factors on the performance indicators were determined using the Taguchi and ANOVA methods. Afterward, GRA was used to perform multi-objective optimization of energy consumption and NPV simultaneously. The results showed that, in descending order of importance, the most significant design factors for overall performance were the flow rate in BHE, the length of the borehole, the number of the borehole, and the distance between boreholes. These factors contributed around 68%, 17%, 13%, and 2%, respectively, to the overall results. The optimal combination of parameter levels when considering the multiple performance characteristics was determined as A1B1C1D4, and the optimized energy consumption and NPV were found as around ∼15 GWh and 4 million NOK, respectively.

Improvement of Ceramic Insulation of Cook Stoves Using Carbonized Organic Waste

Many households and small hotels in Kenya source their energy from biomass; mainly wood and charcoal. For the urban poor, their energy source is basically charcoal. With increasing population, rural urban migration, tough economic times, the use of charcoal must be as efficient as possible. In cognizance of this need, development of energy efficient biomass (charcoal) cook stoves is paramount.
 The main objective of the project was to optimize the insulating properties of ceramic insulation used in ceramic cook stoves using carbonized organic waste as the burnout additive. Carbonized organic waste herein referred to as char was collected and ground to fine dust. The char was used as a burnout medium in the clay to create pores, reduce density and increase porosity thereby improving insulation properties of the fired clay. Optimization was achieved by using different ratios of clay to char. Testing of biomass cook stove is provided for in ISO- 19867-0; the harmonized laboratory test protocol.
 The results showed that the apparent porosity of the sample increased from 34% with no char to 87% when the sample had 50% char. On the other hand, the bulk density reduced from 2.8 g/cm3 with no char to 1.2 g/m3 with 50% char. The prototype thermal efficiency was 33% and 25.8% for the control cook stove. The prototype and control cook stove cooking power were 0.97kW and 0.71kW respectively. The prototype PM2.5 emissions estimated to be 76 mg/MJd and CO emissions at 21 g/MJd which were lower than the Kenya standard KS 1814:2019 maximum emission of 137 mg/MJd and 25 g/MJd respectively
 This study has shown that when clay was mixed with char, there was a significant increase in desirable characteristics, which results in increased efficiency of biomass (charcoal) cook stoves and lower emissions.

УПРАВЛІННЯ ЯКІСТЮ НАДАННЯ ПОСЛУГ РОЗМІЩЕННЯ ЯК СКЛАДОВА ТЕХНОЛОГІЙ ТУРИСТСЬКОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ

The analysis of scientific and practical publications on the issue of the development of collective means of accommodation of small forms shows that researchers, as a rule, distinguish general factors of the development of the hotel industry, such as the standard of living of the population, the development of tourism, the deficit of the balance of payments, state regulation, the development of transport, new technologies, import of services. The hotel industry not only contributes to the performance of the set of functions of tourism, but also creates the prerequisites for their development and enrichment of content. The development of the hotel industry largely determines the availability of tourist resources, which is especially relevant for some categories of the population (youth, pensioners, people with disabilities, low-income families, etc.). requires a more detailed study of the conditions and prospects for their development. The article highlights different levels of influence of factors and examines their mutual influence for the segment of small hotels. The main service produced by the tourism industry is a tourist package or tourist product, which means the right to a tour intended for the tourist. In turn, the tour is considered as a complex of services for accommodation, transportation, food for tourists, excursion services, as well as the services of guides-translators and others, provided depending on the goals of the trip, services. The hospitality accommodation sector accounts for up to 65% of employment and 68% of travel and tourism revenue, and since 2000, the global hotel industry has grown by 2.8% annually. According to experts, accommodation facilities are a «miniature tourism industry» because they provide complex, comprehensive services. From a general human point of view, hospitality should satisfy at least the primary needs of a person for food, rest and sleep. Traditionally, accommodation, food, transfer (transportation), recreation are distinguished as the main elements of the field of hospitality. In our opinion, the State Classifier of Products and Services is the most complete from the point of view of accounting for the types of accommodations based on their ability to satisfy the special goals of travelers.