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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::
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.
Higher impact of encouraging green, long-term sustainable tourism activities worldwide, as this is a perfect opportunity to do so. As we were witnesses that even though those actions were encouraged before, still the industry didn't do enough on this topic (cruises pollution in Venice for example). (April, 2020)
Travelling takes you out of your comfort zone. It makes you see the world differently, not just out of your own little box. It makes you grow as a person. You are never the same after you have experienced the soul of another place and it's locals. And I think that is the magic of travel. (April, 2020)
During my studies I have been constantly working in the tourism industry. While working, I was gaining valuable experiences in a lot of different fields of tourism and in the meantime I was enjoying what I did, I really found a passion in making people feel welcomed and helping them do interesting things on their travels. So the challenge I am facing in this hard situation is not being able to do what I love and I know a lot of people right now who are feeling the same way. (March, 2020)
As a single female traveller I am concerned about my safety even more in times like this. I usually like to travel to different places that involve staying in hostels and using local public transportation. I am not very likely to travel to a far off destination this year (and maybe not next year either, depending on the availability of a vaccination). My next "big" trip will definitely involve either a tour operator (additional safety net) or visiting friends abroad who have a local network and can help out in case this would be needed. Hearing news about people in hostels being stopped from going out by the police is very scary and I do not want to have to experience this. I nonetheless would not book an all-inclusive hotel stay either though. (April, 2020)
Covid-19 should be used as a reset for the travel industry and an opportunity to grow new destinations. Over the past 10 years, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Iceland have been drowned in tourists to the point of the visitors having detrimental impacts to many historic or natural sites. A lot of this travel is motivated by viral photos on social media and influencers travelling to these destinations. Unfortunately, many beautiful and culturally rich countries aren't given this kind of attention and are completely ignored by tourists. A few that would fit into this category are Sao Tome & Principe, Guinea-Bissau, East Timor, Tajikistan, Mauritania, Iran, Chad, Djibouti, and the Central African Republic. (April, 2020)
Before taking a trip, I will check every detail of the local conditions from the Qiongyou App to decide where , how and when I will go to enjoy my journey. From that web, lots of uploaders shared their experience of their trip,which was including the bitter or sweet memories. Lots of members in Qiongyou App was built a net trip community which is attracting lots of people to follow their footprits. (April, 2020)
It would be nice to hear more ideas and support from professors at my institution as well as other institutions that are leaders in hospitality/tourism and/or business in how to react in these times (i.e. Cornell, HBS, Michigan State, etc.). (April, 2020)
Offering alternative future dates later this year and then next year instead of automatically accepting a cancellation. (May, 2020)
VIPs saying we're all in this together to promote themselves. (April, 2020)
12 World-Class Museums You Can Visit Online
This article is not very related to the disease Coronavirus, but this technology can be used in those days too. On the website of those 12 museums and galleries is directly written, that they are closed until further notice, but they offer the visitors online exhibitions and virtual tours.
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/75809/12-world-class-museums-you-can-visit-online (April, 2020)