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
Gaining back the element of trusting people, letting them close, not fearing crowds. (May, 2020)
Student
Slovenia
Explore #TourismFromZero perspectives
Different perspectives on the selected topic: ALL
Tourism business representative
Bosnia Herzegovina
Tourist
Singapore
Tourism business representative
Slovakia
#From Instagram
TOURISM MEANS
Tourism is for me that I can work in the village and I do not need to travel to work to other cities. (June, 2020)
Student
Austria
CHALLENGES
Personally I’m not really affected by COVID-19 when it comes to traveling. Of course I would love to go somewhere rather than just different places in Austria but that is just not happening this year and that’s fine for me. (December, 2020)
Student
Austria
CONCERNS
I am concerned for the hospitality industry as a whole. I am concerned that this pandemic will make people to cautious to the point where they won't venture out. I also am scared that people are going to financially unstable for a while, therefore resulting in no one spending money at local businesses. (April, 2020)
Local resident
United States
IDEAS
I think it would be very good for catering businesses to expand their business on the internet, as the current situation is quite controlling in showing how untapped the network is in our daily lives. In my opinion, it is necessary to use technology in tourism companies, but at the same time to create businesses based on protection nature. By that, I mean to decrease pollution or transport vehicles could use electricity as fuel. I think it would be good to develop tourist activities in unknown destinations as well since it is essential to reduce mass tourism in very well-known destinations. Travel guides have a great opportunity to offer their skills to tourists through online applications. It seems to me that when renovating a tourist activity, we must keep in mind nature conservation and reducing the negative effects, not only money. (April, 2020)
Student
Slovenia
I CAN OFFER
Organization of private tours, where we follow all health&safety recommendations. Hotel reservation, travel recommendations, organization of "self drive" tour. (July, 2020)
Tourism business representative
Slovenia
I NEED
For tourist right now there is only the option to dream of future trips and looking back at past ones. Many destinations around the world already offer digital content to facilitate this. In the future it will be important to receive information about the immunity of the population and I am sure that less crowded destinations will be more popular in the short run. (April, 2020)
Tourist
Germany
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
The media partly exploit the situation of the pandemic to get attention and generate sales. However, the media is not aware, or perhaps unfortunately they are - even sadder that this hype in the media - can make the population sick. (October, 2020)
Student
Austria
OTHER / SPOTTED
Locals: we all find out plenty of local farmers and other stakeholders in our area in those days. Connect with them, think how to include their products in you offer and how to support your local community in those days. Be an active member and make small actions to help. We are all members of the same destination and together we are stronger. (April, 2020)
