Strategies for South Pacific Region to address future pandemics: Implications for the aviation and tourism sectors based on a systematic literature review (2010–2021)

Abstract

This study systematically reviewed the literature on travel-related measures and policies for controlling and mitigating the adverse impacts of pandemics, with a focus on the air transport and tourism sectors. The key findings are applied to the South Pacific Region (SPR) so that appropriate business strategies and industrial policies can be developed to safeguard the sustained development of aviation and tourism. In total, 159 publications were selected and examined using descriptive analysis, content and thematic analyses and a meta-analysis. Our findings suggest that short-term policies and measures (e.g., border closures and travel restrictions, quarantine and isolation, hygiene measures, virus testing, contact tracing, airport screening and other measures) and a long-term strategy (vaccination) should both be implemented to address future pandemics in the SPR. A risk-based approach is recommended, which calls for effective coordination and collaboration across different governments in the region. In addition, the SPR governments should provide financial support for the recovery of the air transport and tourism sectors, both of which are the pillar industries of the SPR.