COVID-19 and tourism in developing countries: Needs, challenges & options
2021 ITB Convention, Berlin, ITB Tourism for Sustainable Tourism Track, 12 March 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic is the latest, very powerful wake-up call about the links between environment, economy and human wellbeing. The tourism sector is one of those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. How to rebuild tourism so that it supports the shift towards more resilient and sustainable communities?
With this question in mind, UNEP brought together more than 350 participants from the wider European region and other parts of the world to discuss how to build back greener by applying principles of circularity, digitalization, innovation and cooperation. Tourism experts, representatives of European governments, tourism institutions and international organisations, NGOs, as well as academia shared their ideas and experiences on opportunities and challenges for a more sustainable tourism industry in a post-COVID scenario. The event provided an overview of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector and examples of aligning recovery plans and investments with a transition that meets the objectives of health and safety, sustainability, climate action and biodiversity protection. The speakers highlighted the importance of policy coherence and public-private partnerships, as well as innovation through digital transformation. Many solutions are available and can be efficiently used through close collaboration and coordination among destinations, businesses, the local communities, visitors, policy makers, as well as investors
Protected natural areas are an essential resource for health and well-being and are a strategic resource for overcoming the fragility of the territory as a defense and an opportunity for the country to restart. The conference will discuss with Federparchi and some Italian natural parks how the paradigms of nature conservation and sustainable territorial planning are essential in light of the changes that have occurred with the Covid-19 emergency. Tourism, an integrated policy of conservation and development and enhancement of the landscape, is an opportunity for the revitalization of natural parks and protected areas and of the territory in different contexts, both marginal and urban.
Access recording here (in Italian)
The COVID-19 pandemic impact on nature based tourism
Global Environment Facility Task Force meeting, 1 September 2020
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on nature-based tourism
World Trade Organization webinar, 11 June 2020
SPEAKERS:
• Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer, Rwanda Development Board
• Zoritsa Urosevic, Director, Institutional Relations and Partnerships Department, Special Representative to the United Nations in Geneva – World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
• Anna Spenceley, Chair of IUCN WCPA Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group and Board Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council
MODERATOR:
• Brendan Vickers, Adviser and Head of Section in the International Trade Policy Section, Commonwealth Secretariat
Tripadvisor Talk, 29 May 2020
Tripadvisor Talk is a weekly panel dialogue that invites leaders within the travel and hospitality industry to discuss, understand, and share insights into the world of travel in the post-COVID-19 era. We know people will travel again. So let’s talk about how, when, and where.
