Identification of advantages (benefits) and barriers (threats) in the work of a hotel animator

• Published in: Studia Periegetica Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 61 - 77
• Main Authors: Borodeńko, Daniel, Smoleńska, Olga Ilona
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: WSB Poznań 22.03.2020
• Subjects: animation; animator; hotel; hotel industry; leisure time
• ISSN: 1897-9262; 2658-1736
• DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0014.1219

During a single season, animators work with several thousand hotel guests. Parents and their children expect entertainment and attractions at a high level. Certainly, animation is a lot of fun. However, it is associated with numerous challenges. The aim of this study described in this article was to identify the most common benefits and challenges reported by animators in the survey conducted the by authors. The first part outlines the job of a leisure animator in the light of the literature. The main part is concerned with the benefits of working as an animator and challenges that animators can face in their work. The study is based on data collected during an online questionnaire survey involving 110 animators from Poland, working in various travel agencies. The findings confirm the main hypothesis of the study: opportunities to interact with people and travel are the most frequently reported advantages of leisure animation. Animation is also seen as a chance for self-fulfillment and continuous development. However, the job is associated with a lot of stress and long working hours, which constitute one of its challenges.