Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) and Other External Factors as Determinants of Accommodation and Restaurant Services in Kenya

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of corona virus disease and other external factors on growth of accommodation and restaurant services (ARS) in Kenya.
 Study Design: The study employed quantitative research design involving quarterly time series data from quarter 1 of 2014 to quarter 1 of 2020. The data set was obtained from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
 Methodology: The study employed unrestricted vector autoregression to investigate the changes in the growth of accommodation and restaurant services.
 Results: Results indicated that COVID-19, professional, administrative and support services, construction and past ARS growth at 1 to 3 lags influences growth of ARS in Kenya negatively. On the other hand, real estate growth, time trend, tax on products, other services, education, manufacturing, information and communication and past growth in ARS at lag 4 influences growth in ARS sector positively. It was also noted that growth in agriculture and transport and storage do not influence growth of ARS in Kenya.
 Conclusion: In conclusion, COVID-19, professional, administrative and support services, construction and past ARS growth, real estate growth, time trend, tax on products, other services, education, manufacturing, information and communication are the main determinants for the growth of ARS in Kenya.

A comparative study of social inequalities in education as an effect of Covid-19 pandemic: A case of schools in Saudi Arabia and Kenya

“…These schools serve as vital sources of free school meals as well as offering education to disadvantaged children. Consequently, as the rate of unemployment of their parents rises, children had to work as a main source of revenue, without any of the support networks of school that protects them (Kiganda & Omondi, 2020).…”

“…Despite Kenya's literacy rate of 78.7%, parents are unable to assist their children at home(Isangula et al, 2021).While many Kenyan families have mobile phones, the majority of them do not have Internet-enabled phones. In the spring, the Pew Research Center analyzed the digital divide in 34 countries, finding that 64 % of Kenyans own a mobile phone, but only 40 % own a smartphone(Kiganda & Omondi, 2020). Furthermore, electricity and Internet access are often disrupted, limiting consistent use of learning facilities.…”