IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON INTERNATIONAL TOURISM

Abstract

Natia Beridze 
 Email:Beridze.natia@bsu.edu.ge 
 Assistant Professor, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University 
 Batumi, Georgia
 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5706-5380
 
 Tsira Tsetskhladdze 
 Email:Tsetskhladze.tsira@bsu.edu.ge 
 Assistant Professor, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University 
 Batumi, Georgia
 https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3754-3960
 The coronavirus pandemic had a devastating impact on the tourism industry worldwide. It has severely impacted world economic development and disrupted social stability. In the background of the COVID-19, the development of tourism industry also faced critical opportunities and challenges.
 This paper details the situation with the tourism industry on the international stage and analysis The UNWTO report and the position of the UN. Consumer behavior trends in the tourism industry are identified in connection with the impact of the pandemic, as well as the impact of the pandemic on the economy of tourism-dependent countries. The spread of vaccination and the adoption of adequate safety measures directly influenced the recovery of tourism. In case of the economy and employment, reopening of this sector has a significant multiplier effect on it, which could be critical in dealing with the crisis caused by the pandemic. This paper discusses an ILO analysis that highlights the need to develop policies that promote a recovery of employment, decent jobs and sustainable businesses in the tourism sector; Outlines the directions of tourism promotion and recovery programs, which usually focus on restoring tourist sites to make them more sustainable; The thesis of "digital nomads" is conditioned, who are looking for an opportunity to work and analyze the changes in the market of tourist routes on specific examples. The paper also lefts a forecast for the close future and the possibility of recovering the industry after a crisis with stipulated ways to solve problems in different countries.