Agile Project Management Approach in Tourism Hospitality Industry Projects in Puttalam District

Abstract

This study explores the Agile project management approach in tourism and hospitality industry projects in Puttalam District. Recognizing the dynamic nature of tourism and the need for adaptability, this research investigates how Agile methodologies can address operational inefficiencies, enhance responsiveness to market changes, and support sustainability initiatives within hotel management. Employing a qualitative research method, data was gathered through in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of project managers, hotel owners, stakeholders, and industry experts from six selected hotels. Each hotel contributed insights from at least two employees, ensuring a minimum sample size of twelve respondents. The findings reveal that Agile project management practices are increasingly being adapted for specific hospitality projects, including marketing campaigns, event organization, and facility upgrades. A hybrid resource management approach is commonly employed, with in-house teams managing smaller tasks and external contractors handling large-scale projects. Agile methodologies such as Scrum and Kanban are preferred for flexible operations, whereas structured approaches like Waterfall are used for renovation projects. However, several challenges hinder the adoption of Agile in the hospitality sector, including the difficulty of balancing flexibility with fixed schedules, unclear role definitions, resource limitations, and the industry's inherently fast-paced nature. This study provides a detailed analysis of the applicability of Agile project management in enhancing efficiency, adaptability, and sustainability in hospitality projects and offers recommendations to facilitate the broader adoption of Agile practices in the region’s tourism and hospitality industry.