An Assessment of Resilience: Disaster Management and Recovery for Greater New Orleans’ Hotels

Abstract While numerous studies have examined the disaster-related challenges of residential populations, little research has documented the effects of disasters on businesses in the tourism industry (Drabek, Citation2000). As with residential circumstances, effective and efficient preparation, speedy response, and strategic recovery following disasters are crucial for tourism businesses. In this research, Greater New Orleans hotels are examined to assess their resiliency when handling the effects of Hurricane Gustav. Specifically, this research examines (a) the reasons for and effects of business closure, (b) the impact of losing lifeline services (e.g., electricity and telephone service), and (c) the human resource challenges that were caused by the disaster. In a study involving a representative sample of hotels, results indicated that 88% closed to the general public before the hurricane and were closed for an average of four days. Approximately 13% of hotels lost power, 17% lost telephone services, and 42% lost the minimum base of employees needed to continue providing full guest service. Findings also indicated that many of the challenges faced by hoteliers were connected to human resource factors. The results of this research are important to managers because it provides an illustration that could aid in future disaster management planning. KEYWORDS: DisasterevacuationresiliencehotelsHurricane GustavNew Orleans