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.
TOURISM MEANS
Tourism for me means travelling to foreign or well-know places, where I can relax and unwind to forget the everyday life. (October, 2020)
Student
Austria
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
The activity of travelling and experiencing the variety of the world's natural and cultural commons. (July, 2020)
Researcher, academic
Cyprus
CHALLENGES
To travel free & wherever you want is still not possible and also not sure when it will be possible again. I work as a receptionist during the holidays and we are facing many challenges right now. The government frightened the people of travelling especially guests from other countries. Right now we have to put double or tripple the effort to generate new guests to get as many guests as possible to keep our hotel alive. (June, 2020)
Tourism employee
Austria
CONCERNS
I am concerned about the longevity of the crisis. I doubt the agency has enough financial reserves. I'm afraid the company will go bankrupt. (August, 2020)
Tourism employee
Slovenia
IDEAS
Tourism flows should be reorganized within the accommodation infrastructure. A new infrastructure with external access for each room could be (re)built. The idea is not new, but from my point of view this kind of hotel was not sought in its true value, which is obvious after the pandemic: less risk of catching a virus. (July, 2020)
Tourism business representative
Romania
I CAN OFFER
I can speak about my experiences in tennis coaching and mountainbike guiding while the crisis. All the points you have to note before starting the training and how you have to handle the customers. (October, 2020)
Student
Austria
I NEED
We do not need special resources, only normal conditions that will allow travel. (August, 2020)
Tourism employee
Slovenia
SOLUTIONS
For the individual properties, it came down to providing refunds and vouchers for another stay to guests who had already booked for the next few months, as we know they won't be allowed to come stay due to state laws. As a company, we want to keep our employees safe and healthy as well, so telling the ones who can work to work from home. Keeping honest and open communication between the higher-ups and the employees about the status of the company, their working timeline, and honestly anything they have questions and concerns about. (April, 2020)
Tourism employee
United States
EXPLOITATION
Criminals phishing company details to claim subsidies entitled for small businesses in various states of Germany. (May, 2020)
Researcher, academic
Germany
OTHER / SPOTTED
Whilst this is major setback for tourism as we know it and many businesses will suffer as a result, I at least hope this will present an opportunity for the industry to change for the better. A more sustainable approach to tourism is needed, perhaps this will kick start it. (May, 2020)
