Strategies among the Bhutanese tourism entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 pandemic | |
| Author | Lham, Yeshi |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.SM-21-18 |
| Subject(s) | Tourism--Bhutan--Management Entrepreneurship COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020---Economic aspects--Bhutan |
| Note | A research submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | COVID pandemic impacted the global economy and no more so than in tourism industry. Tourism industry was halted to null since March 2020 and continues to be that way in Bhutan. Economic downfall, unemployment, recessions, sickness and death continued throughout 2020. So, this paper explores how entrepreneurs in Bhutan sustained themselves during this COVID pandemic, through strategies adopted by themselves and the role of government in it. Interviews with associated personnel in Bhutanese industry provided context for research analysis; alongside reports and data from UN, government of Bhutan, and published articles. Interviews with one government representative and nine entrepreneurs provided responses to contextualize strategies based on established notions. Government of Bhutan applied fiscal and monetary policies such as deferred tax, low interest loans, rent deferment, UN projects, and promote domestic tourism. Entrepreneurs applied cost reduction strategies, downsizing, modifying their business model, shutdown, and taking full advantage of aids and opportunities provided by government and UN programs. Government of Bhutan and UN programs can inference this paper to understand strategies used by tourism entrepreneurs, and to further understand their needs and perceptions. Bhutanese tourism entrepreneurs can also infer this paper to understand strategies available to them from Bhutanese government & other programs and seek inspiration from other entrepreneurs’ strategies used to sustain themselves during COVID pandemic. |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Management (SOM) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Publication code=SM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Ransom, Lakeesha K. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Zimmermann, Willi;Badir, Yuosre F.M. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) |
| Degree | Research Studies Project Report (M. BA.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |