Lemon Tree Hotels: managing business during COVID-19

On 30 January 2020, the Director General of World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak (2019-nCov) [hereafter COVID] as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. By 7 March 2020, global tally of reported COVID cases had crossed 1,00,000. Taking cognizance of the situation and to stem the increase in the number of cases, India went to a 21-day lockdown on 25 March 2020. Lemon Tree Hotels (LTH), India’s largest mid-priced Indian hotel chain, with 84 hotels in 51 destinations with 8300 rooms and over 8000 employees, was expected to be impacted. This case study highlights the challenges LTH faced during lockdown and unlock period. It also highlights the strategies adopted by LTH leadership to keep in mind the interests of their stakeholders and keep the business afloat during the pandemic.