COVID-19 has demonstrated that changes must be made in order to support and secure the future of travel. It has also brought to the fore how central the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are in supporting the responsible recovery of the tourism sector. Here author Lindsay Grace Kinniburgh looks at what businesses can learn from the renowned paradise, Bawah Reserve.
The author suggests that tourism should only ever add value to - and not determine the value of – our cultural and natural heritage. Tourism should help protect natural areas instead of justifying their protection and should celebrate existing cultures instead of altering, exploiting, or creating new ones.
Stopping tourism leakage requires long-term strategic goals and new success metrics. It also requires a holistic approach that focuses on niche markets, supports local businesses and workers, and protects destinations’ unique social and natural assets.
While tourism is on pause, there has been much discussion about how we can improve the sector from an environmental and overcrowding standpoint. But we also need to improve it for local people by respecting them and their culture and ensuring they have equal access to the infrastructure and economic opportunities that tourism can bring.
To support its members and the tourism industry to recover from the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, the Pacific Asia Travel Association has launched a Crisis Resource Centre. This digital resource aims help businesses manage the current crisis and focuses on crisis preparedness, management, and recovery for destinations and other tourism enterprises across the Asia Pacific.
