The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on shifting paradigms in global tourism

Abstract

The global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and 2021 has led to a global re-assessment of most of the key paradigms which governed the growth of tourism and global tourism operations applying to all industry sectors between 1970-2019. Between 1970 when the 747 jumbo jet came into service until early 2020 when the pandemic was widely recognized, tourism experienced significant growth as an industry. This growth came to a shuddering halt from March 2020 when government regulations in most global jurisdictions set severe limits to tourism movement and tourism, hospitality and event activity. Border closures, lockouts, social distancing regulations and quarantine restrictions were among the policy tools implemented by governments to restrict tourism both international and domestic tourism. Some of the key Pre-COVID paradigms which have been overturned as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic include: 1. There is an inalienable human right to travel with minimal restrictions. 2. Market forces and market perceptions determine travel and destination demand. 3. Tourism business could successfully operate on the basis of high volume and low yield. 4. Tourism is regarded by government as an essential industry. 5. Governments are committed to the facilitation and support of tourism 6. Tourism was in a path of continuous growth and increasing democratization and reduced costs for consumers and suppliers. The impact of COVID-19 has encompassed every sector of the global tourism industry with airlines, cruising, land transport, events, accommodation, travel retailers and destination management and marketing all severely affected. It has emerged as the greatest threat to the overall viability of the global tourism industry since World War II and the industry's greatest crisis. For tourism to recover in the post COVD-19 period a new set of paradigms need to be developed. This paper will address them.