Leadership Behavior of Hotel Managers During The COVID-19 Pandemic: The İstanbul Case

Abstract

Study aims to determine the leadership behaviors exhibited by hotel managers during the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, interviews were held with the managers of eight five-star hotels operating in Istanbul. The five open ended questions in the interview form were prepared based on the literature and in accordance with expert opinions. The interviews, which took between 20 and 35 minutes, were conducted by phone and online between October and November 2020. A descriptive analysis technique was used in the analysis of the data obtained through interviews. As a result of the research, it has been revealed that hotel leaders adopt a leadership approach that generally attaches importance to staff and teamwork, develops strategies and creates a vision. In general, it has been found that hotels did not develop much of a strategy before the pandemic spread in Turkey. Hotel leaders have listed the basic characteristics that a leader should have during the pandemic as being able to analyze the environment, give importance to employees and teamwork, and develop strategies.