The 2020 pandemic and previous years’ overtourism issues showed us both the benefits, the relevance, and the limits of the tourism, hospitality and leisure industries for society. We cannot foresee the future, but we can listen to challenges and start developing solutions.
So far we have received more than 900 responses in which these questions have been discussed::
How should we IMAGINE tourism now that we have an opportunity to reset the way we do business?
Which CHANGES would you like to see? If any?
What are your CHALLENGES and CONCERNS?
What are your IDEAS and SOLUTIONS to make it through the pandemic AND into a sustainable and innovative future of tourism?
In the name of the global tourism family, many thanks to every single one of you for the inspiring feedback. Your replies are summarized in the sections below.
Don't forget to share YOUR insights (for the first time or again, with new observations):
The 10 quotes below are updated every few minutes and elephant word-clouds are recalculated regularly based on your new survey entries. You have to refresh the page or revisit us every so often to see the changed content.
CONCERNS
Initially, there was a fear. Then a question of the summer season, on which not only many Croatians depend income wise, but also the financial health of the country (large share of BDP). Now, it seems that there will be some tourist activity over the summer season, but the restrictive measures were relaxed in such a short time that many fear of the surge in number of sick once international visitors arrive. This is at this very moment, but situation still changes very quickly and next week it might be that we would face entire new set of issue. (May, 2020)
Researcher, academic
Croatia
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Different perspectives on the selected topic: ALL
Tourism business representative
Bosnia Herzegovina
Tourist
Singapore
Tourism business representative
Slovakia
#From Instagram
TOURISM MEANS
Tourism means a lot to me, as it's a way of learning about a new culture, seeing a destination and also a way of introducing our destinations and culture to tourists visiting. (April, 2020)
Student
Slovenia
CHALLENGES
A complete stop of all the work iniciatives we have been discussing with private tourism companies regarding their events, new business ventures or just plain marketing activities. (March, 2020)
Tourism business representative
Slovenia
CONCERNS
Even before the stricter measures that forbid leaving your municipality were enforced, people drove to the coast for a stroll by the sea. This motive will not simply disappear all of sudden. On the other hand, of course, there is a possible black scenario for the future of tourism. This health crisis is a big test for our government. As we know, the political environment strongly influences the existence of tourism. I hope that as a country we will come together and take rational action based on facts, expert opinions and for the benefit of the people. We need to keep in mind that this is a pandemic, therefore it will affect practically the whole world and if this lasts for a long time, the economy will suffer greatly. (April, 2020)
Student
Slovenia
IDEAS
Holidays should be repositioned as a big deal, something meaningful and highly valued and also carefully planned with consideration for environmental ressources and human concerns. We would think more about what we really want for our money. Most people buy far too many things they don’t need, including myself! (May, 2020)
Researcher, academic
France
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
We need customers, interesting local providers, accommodations that will meet safety standards. (July, 2020)
Tourism employee
Slovenia
SOLUTIONS
Educate tourism workers on sustainable tourism and how to be mindful about locals and the environment. (April, 2020)
Local resident
Slovenia
EXPLOITATION
Assistance with tourist vouchers only to accommodation facility. Travel agencies were largely excluded because hoteliers do not confirm shared reservations. (July, 2020)
Tourism employee
Slovenia
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)
