The Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic on Human Resources Management Functions in Hospitality Businesses: The Case of Kuşadası

Abstract

The Covid-19 Pandemic has adversely affected all sectors in Turkey as well as the world. Due to its labor-intensive nature, the tourism sector is one of the most injured sectors during the pandemic process. In the pandemic process, which requires re-evaluation of each of the human resources functions, accommodation businesses, which constitute the basic building block of the tourism sector and have the highest labor intensity, have emerged as the businesses that have to manage their human resources processes in the healthiest way. In this context, in the study, it is aimed to investigate how and how the Covid-19 pandemic affects the human resources functions of accommodation businesses. Based on this purpose, an interview form including 4 demographic, 5 open-ended and 14 closed-ended questions was prepared using the semistructured interview method in the qualitative research design, and 17 5-star accommodation enterprises operating in the borders of Kuşadası district. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the resource manager. As a result of the research, it was found that all of the performance, training, planning and remuneration functions, especially the occupational safety and worker health function, were negatively affected by the process.