Covid-19 Pandemic and Beachside Businesses: A Curse or a Blessing in Disguise?

Gladys Apreh Siaw; Nicholas Apreh Siaw; Lucy Eyram - Agbenyeke

doi:10.18535/ijsrm/v13i05.em10

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on businesses worldwide, with the tourism and hospitality sector being particularly affected. This study investigates how managers of beachside businesses in Cape Coast, Ghana, perceive the pandemic's impact on patronage and health and safety practices. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 managers, and thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The findings reveal three primary themes: a significant decline in patronage due to restrictions and fear of infection, the adoption of enhanced health and safety practices to comply with mandates and reassure customers, and mixed perceptions of the pandemic as either a curse due to financial losses or a blessing in disguise due to opportunities for innovation and improvement. The study concludes that the pandemic has been both a curse and a blessing for these businesses, with recommendations for sustaining health and safety improvements, exploring digital innovations, and providing targeted policy support to foster recovery and resilience.

Keywords

Covid-19Beachside businessesCape CoastGhanaPatronageHealth and safety practices

References

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[refR-2] Afriyie, D. K., Asare, G. A., Amponsah, S. K., & Godman, B. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic in resource-poor countries: Challenges, experiences and opportunities in Ghana. The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 14(08), 838-843. https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.12909DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Ahmadi, E., Lundqvist, D., Bergström, G., & Macassa, G. (2023). A qualitative study of factors that managers in small companies consider important for their wellbeing. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 18(1), 2286669. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2286669DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Ahmadi, E., Lundqvist, D., Bergström, G., & Macassa, G. (2024). Managers in the context of small business growth: A qualitative study of working conditions and wellbeing. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 2050. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19578-4DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Al-Hasni, Z. S. (2021). Identifying and prioritizing ways to improve Oman’s tourism sector in the corona period. Journal of Intercultural Management, 13(1), 144-176. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1021380Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Asante, L. A., & Mills, R. O. (2020). Exploring the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic in marketplaces in urban Ghana. Africa Spectrum, 55(2), 170–181. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002039720943612DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Bakar, N. A., & Rosbi, S. (2020). Effect of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to tourism industry. International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science, 7(4), 189-193. https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijaers.74.23DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Bartik, T. J. (2020). Helping America’s distressed communities recover from the COVID-19 recession and achieve long-term prosperity. Washington, DC: Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200923_BrookingsMetro_Distressed-Communities-COVID19-Recovery_Bartik_Report.pdfGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Birt, L., Scott, S., Cavers, D., Campbell, C., & Walter, F. (2016). Member checking: A tool to enhance trustworthiness or merely a nod to validation? Qualitative Health Research, 26(13), 1802-1811. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732316654870DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oaDOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Butler, R. W. (1980). The concept of a tourist area cycle of evolution: Implications for management of resources. Canadian Geographies / Géographies canadiennes, 24(1), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-0064.1980.tb00970.xDOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Cho, J., & Trent, A. (2006). Validity in qualitative research revisited. Qualitative Research, 6(3), 319-340. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794106065006DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

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[refR-14] Duhoe, A. A. A., & Toffa, B. A. (2020). COVID-19: A blessing or curse on affected countries and its citizens. Research Journal in Advanced Social Sciences, 1, 32-39. https://doi.org/10.58256/rjass.v1i.106DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Fotiadis, A., Polyzos, S., & Huan, T. C. T. (2021). The good, the bad and the ugly on COVID-19 tourism recovery. Annals of Tourism Research, 87, article 103117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.103117DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] Ghana Statistical Service. (2020). COVID-19 Updates. Retrieved, 30/12/2024, from https://ghanahealthservice.org/covid19/archive.phpGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-17] Huang, S. S., Shao, Y., Zeng, Y., Liu, X., & Li, Z. (2021). Impacts of COVID-19 on Chinese nationals' tourism preferences. Tourism Management Perspectives, 40, article 100895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2021.100895DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] Jones, K. E., Patel, N. G., Levy, M. A., Storeygard, A., Balk, D., Gittleman, J. L., & Daszak, P. (2008). Global trends in emerging infectious diseases. Nature, 451(7181), 990-993. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06536DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Kang, S. E., Park, C., Lee, C. K., & Lee, S. (2021). The stress-induced impact of COVID-19 on tourism and hospitality workers. Sustainability, 13(3), article 1327. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031327DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] Khamung, R., & Hsu, P. S. (2021). A Process of Change for Tourism Destination Management: Renewal Strategies for Small Businesses at the Bangsaen Beach after the COVID-19 Pandemic. Change Management: An International Journal, 21(1), 73-93. 10.18848/2327-798X/CGP/v21i01/73-93DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-21] Li, S., Ding, J., Zheng, X., & Sui, Y. (2021). Beach tourists behavior and beach management strategy under the ongoing prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study of Qingdao, China. Ocean & Coastal Management, 215, 105974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105974DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-22] Liang, S. T., Liang, L. T., & Rosen, J. M. (2021). COVID-19: A comparison to the 1918 influenza and how we can defeat it. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 97(1147), 273-274. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139070DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-23] Nwagbara, U. I., Osual, E. C., Chireshe, R., Bolarinwa, O. A., Saeed, B. Q., Khuzwayo, N., & Hlongwana, K. W. (2021). Knowledge, attitude, perception, and preventative practices towards COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review. PLoS One, 16(4), Article e0249853. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249853DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-24] Olmos-Vega, F. M., Stalmeijer, R. E., Varpio, L., & Kahlke, R. (2023). A practical guide to reflexivity in qualitative research: AMEE Guide No. 149. Medical Teacher, 45(3), 241-251. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2022.2057287DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-25] Piuchan, M., Chan, C. W., & Kaale, J. (2018). Economic and socio-cultural impacts of Mainland Chinese tourists on Hong Kong residents. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 39(1), 9-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kjss.2017.11.004DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-26] Putra, R. A. B. N. (2021). Strategic recovery plan: The resilience of Wyndham Garden Kuta Beach Bali after major impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Glocal Tourism, 2(1), 13-27. https://doi.org/10.58982/injogt.v2i1.37DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-27] Su, L., Yang, X., & Swanson, S. R. (2022). The impact of spatial-temporal variation on tourist destination resident quality of life. Tourism Management, 93, Article 104572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2022.104572DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-28] Sun, Y. Y., Sie, L., Faturay, F., Auwalin, I., & Wang, J. (2021). Who are vulnerable in a tourism crisis? A tourism employment vulnerability analysis for the COVID-19 management. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 49, 304-308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2021.08.014DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-29] WHO. (2020). A year without precedent: WHO’s COVID-19 response. World Health Organisation. Retrieved, 20/12/2024, from https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/a-year-without-precedent-who-s-covid-19-responseGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-30] Yeh, S. S. (2021). Tourism recovery strategy against COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism Recreation Research, 46(2), 188-194. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2020.1805933DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-31] Zhang, H., Song, H., Wen, L., & Liu, C. (2021). Forecasting tourism recovery amid COVID-19. Annals of tourism research, 87, article 103149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2021.103149DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-32] Zielinski, S., & Botero, C. M. (2020). Beach tourism in times of COVID-19 pandemic: critical issues, knowledge gaps and research opportunities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(19), article 7288. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197288DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗