TOURISM MEANS

I can't describe tourism just with one word, for me its very complex and not all about a business sector. As I'm from Austria, I know that tourism is one of the biggest player in our country and we couldn't live this comfortable life without all the tourists that are visiting us during the year. But at the same time I'm a tourist as well, when I visit other countries or cities, so I can see both sites and think in a world like this we all know both sites and we barely think about the consequences we cause, by traveling this much and "fast". To cut a long story short, tourism means freedom to me but in the same way it can stress me out, as I'm living in Vienna with a lot of ignorance tourists all day long. (October, 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

My biggest concern remains the time after the pandemic. When are we able to return to a "normal life" without masks, with no travel restrictions or the fear of catching the virus? Or are we even able to go back to normal, probably not in the next few years. That's my biggest concern. (June, 2020)

Student

Italy

IDEAS

The hospitality & tourism industry should work closely with environmental protection industries - Human beings are the true 'virus' in the world. In fact, mother nature does not need humans and she can choose anyways she wants to eradicate this species called “human". It's human's own wishful thinking of protecting the Earth only because humans cannot live without nature. (April, 2020)

Student

United States

I CAN OFFER

Data on youth travel responses to Covid 19 - now being published with WYSE Travel Confederation. (May, 2020)

Researcher, academic

Netherlands

I NEED

Information. Lots of information. We need to know what we can do to improve the situation and to help other people. (June, 2020)

Student

Italy

SOLUTIONS

I am from a small town in Virginia/Tennessee and one of my favorite restaurants has impressed the community throughout this pandemic. They are an upscale restaurant offering foods from sushi and stir fry to burgers and tacos. Tuesday nights are half price sushi nights- the community's favorite. While the dining area has been closed, they are still offering their deals on their respective nights. By offering their special on delivery and to-go orders, they received as much business as a normal day. To my benefit, once they were overwhelmed with the number of orders in the afternoon, they honored the deal prices the next day to those they couldn't accommodate on Tuesday. They even offered their Tuesday deal on Sundays, as they saw the huge success of it. They have even began to sell gallons of beer and margaritas, pints and quarts of their soups, etc. Things that they don't normally do. The greatest help to the community has been the restaurants ability to buy things such as toilet paper, paper towels, sugar, flour, etc. in bulk and sell at a breakeven price to customers. These are things that are sold out in grocery stores and are in high demand. They are able to take advantage of their suppliers and help get the community what they need, even without the desire to make a profit off of it. I know that there are many customers and community members that are impressed with the way the restaurant is handling this crisis and are thankful for their efforts! (March, 2020)

Student

United States

EXPLOITATION

Social media influencers using it for attention; politicians making speeches to further their own agendas and blame various other parties instead of taking responsibility. Others whom are price gouging, being rude and inconsiderate, unfortunately this list goes on and on and on. (March, 2020)

Student

United States

OTHER / SPOTTED

This article forecasts on how tourism lies in the future due to the Covid19 pandemic.

To support their tourism sectors, the article highlights that in essence, domestic travel and tourism will be expected to substitute foreign tourism demand. Additionally, the governments will support travel and tourism sectors more directly through bailout packages. In the future the article states that at the beginning, countries may require a COVID-19 free certificate. If it becomes evident that COVID-19 survivors become immune to subsequent infections and transmissions, an immunity certificate for example Yellow Fever booklet, the article suggested that may become a requirement for both outward and inward travel, improving visa application processes and make them online and also issuing immunity passports so people can leave the lock down early.

https://www.unescap.org/blog/future-tourism-post-covid-19 (April, 2020)

Student

Italy