TOURISM MEANS

For me, tourism has just as much to do with locality as with business. I believe that we need to discuss tourism not only from a touristic point of view, but rather from a perspective where local businesses, infrastructure, cultural institutions and the local societies in total is taken into consideration as the foundation for all tourism. Since tourism affects all parts of a local community, tourism development should work bottom-up, where locals are involved to ensure that development follows up on the locals values and needs for their own society. With this approach, tourism can add to sustainable growth and welfare, contribute to increased cultural understanding and respect and be a part of the environmental solutions. (May, 2020)

Tourism or convention office, event organizer

Norway

CHALLENGES

I had to find a concept to be able to follow my job as a mountainbike guide and a tennis teacher. I had to split the customers into smaller groups and because of that I made 1/4 more hours than last year by the same salary. (October, 2020)

Student

Austria

CONCERNS

A new wave of infections, new restrictions on movement and travel. I'm worried about the collapse of the agency, the loss of the job. (August, 2020)

Tourism employee

Slovenia

IDEAS

I want hotel companies such as Wyndham, Hilton, and Marriott to start implementing their brand standard cleaning techniques for this virus (maybe even an industry-standard if feasible). The procedure for cleaning guest rooms may have to change. Rather than going with the current method of cleaning one room at a time, It would be feasible first to remove dirty linens and trash from all dirty rooms first. After housekeepers should wipe all surfaces with disinfectant chemicals and then move onto the bathroom to disinfect all areas (including the shower). Rigorous cleaning techniques need to be in place now, more significant than ever before. Housekeepers should then wash their hands accordingly before touching the clean linen and placing them in the guest rooms. I believe employees should have gloves and a face mask at all times. A more extreme but cautious requirement would be for employees to wash their hands every hour on the clock, whether they just washed their hands or not, a fixed element. (March, 2020)

Tourism business representative

United States

I CAN OFFER

With my studies, I can help to improvise plans and help with getting the wheels rolling again after this all stops. Hopefully someone will hire me so I can help. (April, 2020)

Student

Iceland

I NEED

Multi sector collaboration to collect data. (April, 2020)

Researcher, academic

Japan

SOLUTIONS

All kinds of online stores. (June, 2020)

Student

Germany

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

#Coronavirus – How is the Industry reacting?

This article presents how tourism companies react to the coronavirus. Some companies use technologies to recover from the crisis. Many countries are offering the potential travelers to visit some tourism destinations and attractions via virtual reality. For example Japan, Brasil, Malta, Berlin, Montreal, Israel, Portland, Philadelphia, #greecefromhome, #austrianhomestories etc.

https://www.thinkdigital.travel/opinion/coronavirus-how-is-the-industry-reacting/ (April, 2020)

Student

Czech Republic