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.
Challenges I faced had a lot to do with the closing of borders and travel restrictions. It was not possible to travel to other countries even if it feels like your own. For me there was no border between Bavaria and Austria and it didn't feel any different being in Germany. Suddenly there was a border and it was not possible to go hiking anymore where you always went. Also going to your own flat in Italy was not possible anymore. It felt like somebody locked you out of your own apartment. (September, 2020)
Student
Austria
CONCERNS
I personaly concern about a lot of things at the moment, but there is one topic I worry the most about. It's the naivety of the people. Like putting the mask on the wrong way or not holding distance. If the people would think more about others then them self I think we could manage the situation much better and without such big loss in the economy. (October, 2020)
Student
Austria
IDEAS
Rebuilding tourism will demand yoint cooperation of all stakeholders being focused on local challenges. Concept of Impact Tourism enables such cooperation and is easily managable and effective way to rebuild tourism with maximised positive impact on society. (March, 2020)
Tourism business representative
Slovenia
I CAN OFFER
As a second year MBA student at Kyoto University, I would be happy to help gather information and resources available. (April, 2020)
Student
Japan
I NEED
We need more resources on digital solutions and on solutions for destination development, destination management and consumer behavior. (May, 2020)
Tourism or convention office, event organizer
Norway
SOLUTIONS
Protect the resource at all costs. If communities and the attraction (I'm thinking here wildlife) isn't benefiting then it's time to re-consider new options. (April, 2020)
Researcher, academic
Canada
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
I saw a weird travel website talking about travel to countries that didn't have the coronavirus. All the more reason to NOT go there, I would say. In no time the virus would be there and those countries would soon also go through all the troubles and deaths. (May, 2020)
