Quantitative analysis of disaster impact on hotel recovery: A case study of the Nilgiris

This study aims to analyze the impact of disasters on hotels in the Nilgiris, a popular hill station in India. It investigates the relationship between the experience of hotel managers and their response to various types of disasters, along with examining the effect of disasters on hotel operations, occupancy levels, and employee management. The research is based on data collected from 199 hotels in the Nilgiris region. A combination of multiple regression, ANOVA, sum, mean, and percentage analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between managerial experience, disaster types, and operational challenges faced by hotels. The analysis reveals a positive correlation between the experience of hotel managers and the types of disasters encountered, indicating that experienced managers are better prepared to handle disaster-related challenges. Furthermore, a relationship was identified between hotel experience and the number of employees working in these establishments. The findings highlight that disasters typically lead to a decline in occupancy levels, a decrease in inquiries and walk-in guests, and increased threats to human safety and security. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on disaster management in the hospitality industry by providing insights into the vulnerability of hotels to disasters in a geographically sensitive region. It emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and disaster preparedness measures to mitigate risks and ensure business continuity in the tourism sector.