TOURISM MEANS

The thing I love the most about travelling is how it changes your perspective on life. Every place, every person and every experience changes you a little bit and affects the way you look at yourself and at others. It is probably one of the best and most effective ways to learn more about yourself and where you come from. (June, 2020)

Student

Slovenia

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 not concerned about tourism in general. I do however worry about small businesses and tour guides who are already dormant during the winter months and are waiting for the summer season to accumulate their earnings, which likely will not be possible this year. They are in great danger of going out of business, but overall at the macro level, tourism should return to its old path. How long this will take is extremely difficult to predict. A week ago, the WTO predicted a 3 % to 4% drop in global travel, yet today we are already at a 30% drop. Jobs are definitely at risk. What I can say with confidence is that this crisis will bring some changes. There will now be a lot of room for innovation and adaptation of current work processes. I do not think tourism will die, but it will evolve. (April, 2020)

Student

Slovenia

IDEAS

Some ideas I have during this time are using media platforms to engage like groups who are in the same situation. Such as making a blog or page for graduating seniors, college students, unemployed of different age ranges, employers in hospitality etc... This way, we can get a group mind to best figure how to navigate the challenges each unique group is experiencing, while also acting as a social outlet providing much needed human interaction. This would help better everyone as whole, and is similar to what Tourism From Zero is doing right now, except all submissions/discussions would be open to the public. (April, 2020)

Student

United States

I CAN OFFER

A vaaast information on local stories, a good network of local and regional stakeholders (Maribor, Slovenia) and a bit of crazy innovativeness that comes with our formats. (April, 2020)

Tourism business representative

Slovenia

I NEED

Some resources I need are some positive statistics about the coronavirus that can help keep people's heads high. (April, 2020)

Local resident

United States

SOLUTIONS

Summer houses, glamping and cabins nearby are booming. I think that's a good solution for now. (May, 2020)

Student

Denmark

EXPLOITATION

I think it is insane that you have to pay over €90 to get tested for COVID 19. There are a lot of people who cannot afford it especially when they were put on "Kurzarbeit" or lost their job. I think everyone should be able to get tested for free. (June, 2020)

Student

Austria

OTHER / SPOTTED

Impact of COVID-19 on Travel: Foreign Travel Industry Needs an Immediate Rescue Plan:

This article is based on India's data but it could be translated to all the other countries in the world affected by coronavirus, because it is hitting the tourism sector the same way everywhere. During the last years tourism was unstoppably growing in India but now this sector will have just to fight for survival, because even if quarantine ends and people go back to their jobs, travelling will probably still be restricted. He is also stating that in many countries the governments already started up plans for saving the tourism sector but India is not one of them, and should start working on that. Article gives four possible solutions: Cancel or postpone the proposed TCS on foreign travel that was introduced in the Finance Bill (2020), One-year GST Relief, Exclusive Fund Allocation for the Tourism Sector, Interest-free Credit Facilities for the Travel Sector.

See the original file here: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/348757 (April, 2020)

Student

Spain