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
Explore #TourismFromZero perspectives
Different perspectives on the selected topic: ALL
Tourism business representative
Bosnia Herzegovina
Tourist
Singapore
Tourism business representative
Slovakia
#From Instagram
TOURISM MEANS
1) Discovering new people & places 2) Creativity Format 3) Our (potentialy) big market. (April, 2020)
Tourism business representative
Slovenia
CHALLENGES
The first time in 9 years I have not traveled anywhere by plane, I actually spent a whole year '20 in Slovenia (which is not so bad, because Slovenia has really a lot to offer) (November, 2020)
Student
Slovenia
CONCERNS
When flights are being blocked or reduced, the tourism industry would be a major one that being affected hard no matter what reasons are behind the situation. What I am concerning about is, how long does it take to get everything back to normal, the actual situation would be even worse than any types of prediction. For example, It might be possible that all the official organization will be stating that the coronavirus is no longer a big issue for damaging the tourism industry, having a trip is safe now. But it takes more time than we thought to let public believe after the huge panic that the coronavirus caused. So, I personally really concerned about the amount of time for people to actually start traveling like what they used to do, would be still long way to go. (April, 2020)
Student
United States
IDEAS
Connecting with other providers. It may be time to get to know the "competition" of the destination providers. I think that having a good knowledge of your destination and of competing providers is crucial. Would it not also make sense to join forces with some of them at this time, to set up a cooperative? (April, 2020)
Student
Slovenia
I CAN OFFER
My skills, my willing to make the difference and my passion towards tourism. I think that nowadays ecotourism should be the key to success. (May, 2020)
Tourism employee
Italy
I NEED
As I do understand that understanding topics we take them at school is important, we should take this opportunity for the whole tourism sector to step together and create a good set of actions. As there would be actions taken from an actions such as recommended, we would have an opportunity to change an educating system as well, as we all know, it needs an upgrade. Students (from what we talk to each other) would like to be present at resolving actual current problems more, as some teachers already are taking these actions (for example giving students to write, think and evolve solutions to the actual problems happening in present time). (April, 2020)
Tourism employee
Slovenia
SOLUTIONS
For me the best solution at that time was simply to make the best of it and rethink my lifestyle. I realized how important social contacts are and how little we actually appreciate it. I followed the rules and in the end I can say that I did everything I could to get through the pandemic quickly. (December, 2020)
Student
Austria
EXPLOITATION
I think it is insane that you have to pay over €90 to get tested for COVID 19. There are a lot of people who cannot afford it especially when they were put on "Kurzarbeit" or lost their job. I think everyone should be able to get tested for free. (June, 2020)
Student
Austria
OTHER / SPOTTED
Locals: we all find out plenty of local farmers and other stakeholders in our area in those days. Connect with them, think how to include their products in you offer and how to support your local community in those days. Be an active member and make small actions to help. We are all members of the same destination and together we are stronger. (April, 2020)
