Tourism in the Low Touch Economy

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the situation of the tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The health crisis's main effects are explained, as well as how the sector is learning to function under strict sanitary and hygiene measures, relying more on technology than before. The opportunities and challenges in a low contact economy are described. Post-pandemic fear, crowded conditions, mass tourism, travel guilt and shaming, extensive job losses, fixed costs, and employee morale are the challenges identified. The opportunities include variants of slow tourism, products and services for the remote worker, and the digitalization of the sector.