Key Challenges and Strategies for Enhancing Operational Efficiency Of Hotels in Lusaka, Zambia
Keywords:
Hotel management challenges; Lusaka, ZambiaAbstract
This research aimed to explore the key challenges facing hotel managers in Lusaka, Zambia, and suggest strategies for enhancing operational efficiency within the hotel sector. The study’s objectives were: (1) to identify these challenges, (2) describe their effects operational efficiency, and (3) explore effective strategies for mitigating these issues. The research focused on various facets of hotel management, including management practices, possible skilled labor shortages, employee morale, advertising and promotion, service delivery, increased use of service technology, and client satisfaction.vision.
Employing a descriptive research design, data was gathered through survey questionnaires distributed to managers, employees, and clients from 116 different hotels in Lusaka. The population encompassed a variety of hotel types ranging from luxury business, and boutique hotels to budget hotels and guesthouses. Data analysis relied on descriptive statistics to summarize responses, providing quantitative insights into the challenges faced by hotel managers and employees in Lusaka.
The findings underscored the need for increased use of service technology (M=4.25) and the vital importance of maintaining a high level of client satisfaction (M=4.54) as significant operational factors, and suggested strategies for implementing various improvements. Recommendations from the analysis included greater use of mobile applications to streamline routine processes, implementing interactive and role-based training, establishing regular feedback mechanisms, promoting transparent communication, recognizing and incentivizing employee performance, and fostering a long-term training vision.
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