TOURISM MEANS

To me tourism is a big part about a globalized world since it means we can can get out of our usual envirnoment and see something we dont usually see. It is a nice distraction from the normal, boring everyday life and a chance to experience something out of the ordinary. The feeling you get when you finally reach the date of your flight, the excitement rushing through the veins when you board the airplane and then the relief when you finally land in your desired destination, is incredible. Suddenly you are in a whole diffrent world, a whole diffrent culture. It is very important to me, that we are able to see the whole planet that we are living on and experience all the different cultures and vibes that people from other parts of the world give you. (December, 2020)

Student

Austria

CHALLENGES

Challenges I faced had a lot to do with the closing of borders and travel restrictions. It was not possible to travel to other countries even if it feels like your own. For me there was no border between Bavaria and Austria and it didn't feel any different being in Germany. Suddenly there was a border and it was not possible to go hiking anymore where you always went. Also going to your own flat in Italy was not possible anymore. It felt like somebody locked you out of your own apartment. (September, 2020)

Student

Austria

CONCERNS

When will hospitality pick up again and what is going to make people feel safe about traveling. If we are able to flatten the curve by people staying inside how will we know this won't happen again. I feel hotels, cruise ships and restaurants are going to have to do a lot of marketing and convincing to put faith back in people it is safe to stay and eat in their establishments. Additionally, with so many people losing their jobs and incomes being low even once it is safe to travel and explore when will people have the extra funds to do so. (April, 2020)

Student

United States

IDEAS

The extra time students hopefully have during quarantine could be used for the following things:

- Complete projects (even if they’re not assigned by school) to demonstrate different facets of my skill set, for example, publishing a paper or article on LinkedIn analyzing the economic impacts of COVID-19 on a specific hospitality company (such as Marriott, Disney, Carnival, etc.), including suggestions for recovery.

- Get certifications or complete LinkedIn Learning classes to demonstrate interest and/or expertise in a certain skill, ex) Google AdWords, Cvent, Microsoft Suite, etc.

- Create a digital portfolio showcasing accomplishments during college.

- Learn an in-demand skill that is relevant to companies that are not being as terribly impacted as the hospitality and tourism industry. For example, learning coding languages, as IT is a needed skill presently to support means of digital connection. (April, 2020)

Student

United States

I CAN OFFER

Sharing of efforts by OTA and fintech companies and so on. (April, 2020)

Researcher, academic

Japan

I NEED

Some resources I need are some positive statistics about the coronavirus that can help keep people's heads high. (April, 2020)

Local resident

United States

SOLUTIONS

6 Startups That Can Help: https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/resources/impact-covid-19-travel-hospitality-industry-and-6-startups-can-help/ (May, 2020)

Student

Slovenia

EXPLOITATION

https://www.ft.com/content/19d90308-6858-11ea-a3c9-1fe6fedcca75 - link to the article written by Yuval Noah Harari that I find curious, as it opens many cotroversial questions and dilemas for the future - as the author states amongst other emphases - a shift from “over the skin” to “under the skin” surveillance, with the use od biometric data. (April, 2020)

Student

Slovenia

OTHER / SPOTTED

Three travel startups response to COVID19

The article highlighted on how these three big travel agencies Get Your Guide,Omio and Travel perk are responding to the Covid19 pandemic.All the three agencies reported a major drop in bookings combined with customer cancellation and reschedule of the travel plans. The three founders of this agencies described there is sudden revenue crunch with high levels of uncertainty due to the pandemic.Get you Guide agency copied to the situation by re-routing resources to service more on near-term customer needs through improved flexibility of cancellation of bookings and refunding systems .Omio and Travel Perk, the two agencies decided to reflect on duty of care. This is focused on supporting its customers,employees with safety measures and are taking the time to research on which investments they can engage or pull out at the current moment.

https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/13/three-travel-startups-tell-us-how-theyre-responding-to-the-coronavirus-crisis/ (April, 2020)

Student

Slovenia