TOURISM MEANS

The thing about travel that leaves the biggest impression on me is definitely just the general vibe/feel you get from a place, not necessarily the main tourist attractions, museums, etc...I think that most of the feeling you get from a city is contributed by the locals; their lifestyle and shared values. That’s why meeting new people and getting to know more about their culture and outlook on life is the thing I’m most excited for when traveling. (April, 2020)

Student

Slovenia

CHALLENGES

As a current employee in the hospitality industry, I have been forced to stop working due to the coronavirus. I was working to complete my field study at the Inn at Virginia Tech, which I was enjoying so much. Now due to the virus, I am no longer able to work and I am unsure whether I will be able to return to work in the future. (April, 2020)

Tourism employee

United States

CONCERNS

I am currently concerned with the timeline. The hospitality and tourism industry will take some time to recover, but there are contrasting views on how quickly the industry will recover. Some have more bullish views and believe that once an "all-clear" is issued we will have an influx of discretionary income spending from "stir-crazy" individuals. Others have more bearish views and believe that the risk aversion associated with the Coronavirus will have a more prolonged effect even after an "all-clear" is issued. (April, 2020)

Student

United States

IDEAS

I’m completely out of ideas right now. It is difficult to plan trips because people are scared. It is also difficult to predict whether we will be able to travel at all, as the country may close all borders tomorrow. (July, 2020)

Tourism employee

Slovenia

I CAN OFFER

Social (online) support! As mentioned previously, providing social interaction through technology and media platforms greatly helps and keeps everyones mind busy while providing social interaction to ease the lockdown induced loneliness. I would also be able to provide the resource of shopping for the elderly in my community, which I have done twice this previous month, in order to allow the elderly to stay home and get safely delivered food and not have to possible expose themselves to the virus. Anything we can do to help everyone struggling to get through this time. (April, 2020)

Student

United States

I NEED

Until people start traveling again, we need financial support from the state or the European Union so that the company does not go bankrupt. (September, 2020)

Tourism employee

Slovenia

SOLUTIONS

For hotels and even other tourism companies!

https://www.cayugacollection.com/believe-with-us-in-a-future-of-extraordinary-travel/ (April, 2020)

Student

Germany

EXPLOITATION

There have been cases I heard of where companies would apply for financial support from the government, even though they where not entitled to get it and had no real need for it. (June, 2020)

Student

Austria

OTHER / SPOTTED

I saw a weird travel website talking about travel to countries that didn't have the coronavirus. All the more reason to NOT go there, I would say. In no time the virus would be there and those countries would soon also go through all the troubles and deaths. (May, 2020)

Student

Denmark