The Impact of Covid-19 Transmission and Control on the Tourism Industry and Touristic Countries: A Case Study of Saint Lucia and the Maldives

Abstract

COVID-19, which was recognised by the WHO as a highly contagious respiratory pandemic with a worldwide impact, has hit almost every industry hard. Measures taken by countries and regions to restrict population movement in response to the pandemic have had a more serious negative influence on the tourism industry. Saint Lucia, an island in the Caribbean, was also badly affected by COVID-19 because its economy is highly dependent on the high-risk nature of the tourism industry. This study compares the changes in data related to the tourism industry in Saint Lucia before and after the outbreak to analyse the concrete manifestation of the impact of COVID-19 on it. In addition, based on the rapid recovery of the tourism industry in Maldives, another similar tourism-based island country, this study compares the measures implemented in Maldives to provide some recommendations for the future recovery of Saint Lucias tourism economy and the sustainable development of the tourism industry.