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
When In London it was only a few weeks into this pandemic. It was actually right before it became a pandemic. When we were there we were very cautious when we were in public. Especially when we were trying to leave we were concerned about going to Heathrow because it is one of the busiest airports in the world. We were also concerned about using public transportation because that is how we would get around to all of our destinations. (April, 2020)
Tourist
United States
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Tourism business representative
Bosnia Herzegovina
Tourist
Singapore
Tourism business representative
Slovakia
#From Instagram
TOURISM MEANS
Travelling for me is pushing myself out of the comfort zone and going into the unknown. It broadens your mind and gives you experience only you have. The trip to Cuba gave me a lot of first time experience. From buying and smoking my first cigar and exploring the history of that amazing country. If it wasn’t for that trip I would never find my love for cigars and that is the point of travelling for me. It’s not about the short term experience that travelling provides but about the long term experience that changes you for the rest of your life. (May, 2020)
Student
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 it would be able to travel; the flight prices during/after the pandemic; would hotels be safe to stay; (May, 2020)
Student
United Kingdom
IDEAS
Hospitality is the most personal human interaction industry. I don't see how the hospitality industry will be able to become virtual like most industry's are becoming due to the coronavirus. That being said, I think the hospitality industry should shift a lot of focus to nature based tourism. This would allow people to practice social distancing and enjoy beautiful places in nature at the same time. An idea would be to establish an open air outdoor hotel in close to great hiking spots, where the hotel would serve as a base camp. This way tourists can go hiking all day then comeback and enjoy the services usually provided by a hotel, while still enjoying being outside in the fresh air. (April, 2020)
Student
United States
I CAN OFFER
Resources that each of us can contribute is humanity. It is important that even in such difficult times as these, no one forgets about the other. And because I am still quite young and fit, I can try to help others who are not doing so well as much as possible with all the possibilities I have. (December, 2020)
Student
Austria
I NEED
I think our company needs a good and positive employee force, including maintaining good HR practices and encouragement to give employees. Personally, the company also needs a plan from our boss going forward (as hard and uncertain as the world is making that on him). (April, 2020)
Tourism employee
United States
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
There have been cases I heard of where companies would apply for financial support from the government, even though they where not entitled to get it and had no real need for it. (June, 2020)
Student
Austria
OTHER / SPOTTED
Maybe finding financial solutions or funds for those who are now in existential crisis. I also think everyone who is working in culture sector or any other art branch is fearful of the future situation. I think we should really support those and find a way to make their lives easier. After all, art is what define us, makes us humans. (April, 2020)
