The Future of Tourism in the COVID-19 Era

The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease is now fully entrenched in the international community, and has devastated society in what might seem to be a parallel universe. The long-term medical, physical, psychological, economic and financial consequences for continents, countries, regions, states, provinces, prefectures, cities, and individuals is not yet known, but the short-term effects do not seem promising or encouraging. One of the most heavily affected industries by COVID-19 is the international travel, tourism demand and hospitality industry, which was one of the world’s largest sources of full-time and casual employment in the pre-COVID-19 era. The future of tourism in the COVID-19 era is presently unknown, but substantial research is required to evaluate how the industry might recover and survive in a new-normal COVID-19 world. The paper presents a discussion of the future of tourism, travel, and hospitality in the time of COVID-19 as a contribution to the industry. The paper presents a discussion of the future of tourism, travel, and hospitality industry. Public and private policy considerations include significant contingent planning to accommodate travel plans and restrictions, personal protection equipment, medical and healthcare requirements, major events, short, medium and long haul domestic and international travel by air and sea, public versus private transportation, hotel accommodation, alternative forms of payment and pre-payment, changes in the tourism and transport industries, changes in tourist behaviour, and potential structural changes.