The COVID-19 pandemic hits the hospitality and tourism sector hard. Hotel managers are
confronted with uncertainties amidst this environment to survive. This study explores the
response of hotels due to COVID-19 in the hospitality industry, particularly hotel businesses
in Indonesia – one of the largest developing countries. This study lays the challenges being
faced by these hotel managers and the strategies that they used in order to survive. Primary
data collection based on semi-structured interviews with 12-15 hotel managers, in Jakarta,
Bandung, Palembang and Solo. The findings display various challenges and strategies
conducted by hotels to survive their businesses multiple cities. Potential future research is also
discussed.