TOURISM MEANS

An opportunity to discover new places and cuisines. (April, 2020)

Tourist

Italy

CHALLENGES

A lack of communication despite beeing able to spend even more hours than before communicating (May, 2020)

Researcher, academic

Germany

CONCERNS

I worry that a lot of businesses will go down, and that the development of tourism will stop or even go back. In Northern Norway, we have been working hard with issues of sustainability, and I am afraid that sustainable choices will have less attention from the companies' side, because their main focus will be to get a minimum of income. I also worry that working within the tourism industry will be less attractive. (May, 2020)

Tourism or convention office, event organizer

Norway

IDEAS

In one of the President's COVID-19 Press Conferences, Trump had thrown around the idea of businesses being able to fully deduct dining and food expenses. I believe this could be an interesting idea to pursue. Currently, dining and food expenses incurred by businesses can be deducted by 50% as long as they meet certain requirements (cannot be overly extravagant, etc.). If this deductible percentage was increased, it could help to jump start the recovery of the hospitality and tourism industry by incentivizing business meals and group business. A similar case can be made for travel expenses.

Of course, there are ethical implications associated with potential to abuse the system which will need to be weighed. I recommend the spending must meet the current deduction requirements or possibly impose a spending ceiling.

Resources:

https://www.thetaxadviser.com/issues/2020/jan/business-meal-expense-deduction-tcja.html

https://markjkohler.com/writing-off-dining-and-food-expenses/ (April, 2020)

Student

United States

I CAN OFFER

I'm a soccer coach for kids. Maybe I can create a practice where they still keep distance, so that we can play again. (June, 2020)

Student

Austria

I NEED

We need customers, interesting local providers, accommodations that will meet safety standards. (July, 2020)

Tourism employee

Slovenia

SOLUTIONS

Due to the current situation the idea of vegetable crates was born in Salzburg, which are delivered home - contactless:

https://www.fraeuleinflora.at/salzburg/gemuese-abo-kiste-salzburg/

There are other initiatives in Austria, which exist due to corona:

https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000116464066/initiativen-in-der-coronakrise-anker-fuer-den-alltag (October, 2020)

Student

Austria

EXPLOITATION

It´s sad that there are so many cheaters who just want to get all the money which is spend by the state to help the little enterprises to survive the crisis, so that those who really need the money, don´t have any chance to work against their problems ... (June, 2020)

Student

Germany

OTHER / SPOTTED

Prepare for the opening: prepare a protocol. How will you welcome your guests tomorrow; which standards will you have to follow to guarantee safety; how will you adapt to the »new reality«; where will you put the hand disinfection gel? These are some questions to answer to make feel the guest secure and safety at your place. (April, 2020)

Tourism business representative

Slovenia