Figure 3
Figure 3 illustrates the thematic findings from interviews with hotel managers regarding the feasibility of a hotel-based faculty club and the role of hotels in community-building. The framework is organized into ten major themes, each containing one or more subthemes. Theme 1: Hotel Market Positioning. Subthemes: The guest house of the university. The landing spot for everyone. Theme 2: Acknowledging the Value and Impact of Community. Subthemes: Essential role of a thriving community. Recognizing the importance of serving communities. Theme 3: Hotel Resources for Community Engagement. Subthemes: High-quality kitchen with bar facilities. Spacious ballroom for events. Theme 4: Hotel’s Engagement with the Community. Subthemes: Local events and festivals’ benefits. Social hub. Learning space. Fine spot for food and drinks. A good destination for staycations. Charity and fundraising engagement. Inclusive hiring. Theme 5: Community Connections Enhancing Hotel Operations. Subthemes: Building community connections for growth. Hotel revenue through opportunities and events. Greater control over hotel operations. Theme 6: Challenges in Establishing a Faculty Club. Subthemes: Uncertainty regarding the benefits of membership. Avoiding redundancy with existing initiatives. Theme 7: Key Challenges in Hotel Management. Subthemes: Intense competition. Seasonality. Theme 8: Exploring Business Models for Hotel-Based Clubs. Subthemes; Combining hotels with clubs. Loyalty and rewards programs. Disintegrated resort model. Reciprocity arrangements with other clubs. Theme 9: Creating an Attractive Environment for Members. Subthemes: Home-like atmosphere. Member-like experience with personalized service. Theme 10: Existing Clubs within Hotel Environments. Subthemes: Informal community of football fans. Cooking club. Overall, the framework demonstrates that hotel managers view community engagement as compatible with the hotel’s mission and resources. While managers recognize challenges related to competition, seasonality, and demonstrating member value, they also identify opportunities for community-building, revenue generation, operational stability, and enhanced customer experiences through hotel-based clubs and affinity-group programming.Thematic framework of hotel managers’ perspectives on the faculty club