Chapter 2: Strategic Intent and Strategic Leadership: A Review Perspective for Post-COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Industry Recovery

It is beneficial to use strategic management to gain profound, long-term comprehension and learning in challenging topics such as change evaluation. Since the impact of COVID-19, norms changed, complexities developed and situational elements were identified that could be used to improve and manage operations. This change did not spare the tourism and hospitality industry; as a result, this industry is facing a crisis to recover from pandemics. Keeping this in mind, researchers struggle to investigate the phenomenon; quested advantages may be derived for rehabilitation. Strategic leadership perspective is one of them that can be used for more significant tourism industry benefits. Leaders are required to prepare strategies for developing technical abilities to increase the efficiency of their organisations. It must become necessary to have a strategic aim to change existing social and cultural values, religious standards and psychological attitudes under their vision. This chapter aims to apply the theory of change to manage the tourism and hospitality industry's recovery, focusing on strategic leadership's theoretical framework and strategic intent. The chapter includes a study of the literature to determine the effectiveness of strategic intent in the leadership of the tourism industry. In addition, this work debates about building a better and more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence, contribute to and relate to strategic intention. This chapter draws several beneficial propositions for readers, academicians and practitioners.