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.
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
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Tourism business representative
Bosnia Herzegovina
Tourist
Singapore
Tourism business representative
Slovakia
#From Instagram
TOURISM MEANS
The thing I love the most about travelling is how it changes your perspective on life. Every place, every person and every experience changes you a little bit and affects the way you look at yourself and at others. It is probably one of the best and most effective ways to learn more about yourself and where you come from. (June, 2020)
Student
Slovenia
CHALLENGES
Dealing with information overload. Trips abroad. Less salary. Short-time work. Lockdown. Regeneration time after COVID. Competition of the companies for the domestic guests. (June, 2020)
Student
Austria
CONCERNS
My biggest concern is whether I will be able to find a job after college. Everybody knows that the hospitality industry is one of the main industry's that is feeling the effects of COVID-19. I am really worried that as a graduating senior that I will have a tough time finding a job when the economy is in a recession. The uncertainty of this virus has forced the hospitality industry into a hiring freeze. Due to this I am unsure how long it will take me to find a job after I graduate this May. (April, 2020)
Student
United States
IDEAS
Country should provide more support for all tourism related companies in this times.
Tourism should open only when the science could confirm we are ready till that time support for tourism industry from countrys - in this time I think it is more important to wait and not to make long time damage if we open tourism too soon. (April, 2020)
Tourism employee
Slovenia
I CAN OFFER
Our metodology for marketing is based on customer typologies, personas. We work a lot with models that combine the destination's resources and products with the personas that can be relevant for the destination. We also have resources regarding sustainability issues and culturally sensitivity in tourism, as we work a lot with Sami tourism. (May, 2020)
Tourism or convention office, event organizer
Norway
I NEED
I think that in the current situation we need in particular some workshops on current topics in tourism, as well as mentoring. Of course, the opportunity to gain experience in tourism companies. (April, 2020)
Student
Slovenia
SOLUTIONS
Although I mostly organize trips abroad, I have now prepared trips around Slovenia. I would not call this a good practice, but saving the company from collapse if the crisis does not end. (August, 2020)
Tourism employee
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 think that every organization/company... should start to prepare some kind of plan. They should try to adapt and work from home, come up with alternatives so they don't completely lose costumers/visitors...For example many museums started to offer virtual tours. (March, 2020)
