The Dynamics of Covid 19 Pandemics, Anglophone Crisis on the Hospitality Facilities in the South West Region: Evidence from Buea and Limbe
Abstract
The COVID-19 Pandemic introduced new dynamics in several sectors. However, there is limited evidence in the context of Cameroonian towns on how it has potentially reshaped multiple sectors. The case of the hospitality industry stands out clear in the towns of Buea and Limbe. Various sectors of the economy have suffered in varying dimensions. The hospitality industry is one sector that has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines the dynamics that have occurred in the hospitality sectors due to the COVID -19 pandemics and the political crisis on the hospitality industries in two of Cameroon’s the cities. To generate data 200 respondents were randomly sampled from, 10 hotels. Structured questionnaires were distributed to hotel staff, 100 in Limbe and 100 in Buea. Structured interviews were administered to hotel managers or their representatives. Out of the 200 questionnaire distributed, 148 were recovered giving a participation rate of 74%.The data was analyzed and summarized using descriptive statistics and the results were displayed in graphs and tables. The findings revealed that due to the COVID-19 pandemics and the Anglophone crisis, the hospitality industry experienced a drastic fall of more than 80% in event tourism which is one of the major sources of income. This has adversely affected the annual budgets of the hospitality industry and some proprietors resorted to salary reductions of their employees while others simply cut down the labour force which added to the already existing unemployment problems. This study therefore recommends that massive vaccination and promotional activities remains the best way of reducing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospitality facilities as well as other economic sectors. The government is also encouraged to find a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis in the English speaking region of Cameroon, that have paralyzed, socio- economic activities for close to six years today.
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