Tourism is one of the sectors hardest hit by the global health crisis caused by the Coronavirus. In 2020, tourist destinations received 1 billion fewer international arrivals than the previous year. The health crisis has jeopardized 100 to 120 million jobs in tourism, most of them in small and medium-sized businesses.
A situation that has an impact on the way we “rethink” tourism. Let’s see how this health crisis can have a positive impact on tomorrow’s tourism.
Un tourisme de masse avant la pandémie
Un impact environnemental
Long before the health crisis generated by Covid-19, the mass tourism situation was out of control. So out of control that tourist activity gave the impression of being on a kind of “human safari”. Increased visitor numbers mean overcrowding and damage to natural areas and biodiversity, which doesn’t have time to renew itself. Not to mention pollution and increased use of natural resources. Air transport generates a lot of greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to global warming. With air travel still the main mode of transport, the carbon impact is considerable. The air transport sector accounts for 2 to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and its use is set to double or even triple by 2050. Which is still less than digital technology (especially streaming video), whose greenhouse gas emissions are at the same level and are expected to double by 2025…
Un impact social
What’s more, mass tourism enables people with low purchasing power to get away cheaply, but at the cost of environmental degradation. Mass tourism is therefore a threat to the planet.
The seasonal nature of tourism also leads to job insecurity and makes cities unliveable at certain times, even for the tourists themselves. Finally, another scourge is the rise of sex tourism. Particularly in Latin America, South-East Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, which involves more and more minors.
Un tourisme qui se veut plus responsable
Un impact en faveur de l’environnement
The global pandemic has turned tourism upside down. So much so, in fact, that it prompted some real reflection on the subject. Indeed, the forced halt to mass tourism has fueled reflection on the damage it causes. The environmental stakes have now gone up a notch. On abandoned tourist sites, nature has reclaimed its rights. For example, in Thailand, where the number of foreign tourists fell by over 83% in 2020. More and more marine animals, such as dugongs, endangered turtles and whale sharks, are being spotted.
The trend is towards a more responsible, ecological and humane way of traveling, both for the sake of the planet and the human beings who inhabit it.
Le tourisme de proximité : une tendance fortement durable
The development of local, relatively local and sustainable tourism could also benefit from renewed interest after the crisis. Local tourism raises hopes. It’s an opportunity to focus on visits close to home, rather than crossing the miles to spend a vacation at the other end of the world. Choosing a local destination is a safe bet. Sanitary protocol, ease of access and flexibility are all safety features to be promoted.
Pratiquer le tourisme positif
Positive tourism is the development of a tourism offer that combines economic profitability with reduced environmental impact and social benefits.
In the words of the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization: “This crisis is an opportunity to rethink the tourism sector and its contribution to humanity and the planet. It’s an opportunity to rebuild a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism sector, so that the benefits of tourism can be enjoyed widely and equitably”.
Le Glamping: Le tourisme alternatif
More original and often unusual, glamping is a form of camping that combines nature, comfort and ecological awareness.
Glamorous camping is a new trend in responsible outdoor tourism, combining luxury, comfort, nature and respect for the environment. It revises the camping phenomenon upwards. Without totally breaking with traditional camping, and while retaining its authenticity. This form of travel lets you discover unique spaces and live in designer homes made from noble, eco-friendly materials.
A touch of luxury on a sustainable trip.
Comment éviter le surtourisme dans le futur ?
1.8 billion tourists, or 1 in every 5 people in the world, is the impressive figure expected to be reached by 2030, according toUNWTO, the World Tourism Organization.
Tourism starts to pose a problem when, instead of contributing to a city’s economic prosperity, it degrades the living conditions of its inhabitants. The latter can then feel dispossessed.
Le demarketing touristique
In tourism, this means showing tourist attractions as they really are, but also adopting a strategy of silence. To avoid over-subscription, local authorities stop promoting certain tourist attractions. In other words, tourism demarketing aims to discourage tourists on a temporary or permanent basis.
This strategy has already been adopted by a number of saturated tourist destinations. As is the case for Amsterdam. Faced with an unmanageable influx of tourists (an average of 20 million a year), Amsterdam’s city council intends to give the city back to its inhabitants. To achieve this, the city is considering the use of drastic measures, such as bans on guided tours of the Red Light District, a tax on other visits to the capital, and heavy penalties for incivilities committed by tourists. Also taxes or tolls to access natural sites (e.g. Parc des Calanques de Cassis), and bans on access to certain areas or on anchoring boats with endangered ecosystems.
Souscrire une assurance voyage pour son déplacement
Mondassur offers health insurance for your stays in Europe and abroad, always tailored to your needs, whether it’s a short or long stay for your trip. Mondassur offers an insurance policy tailored to your needs that provides excellent coverage of your medical expenses at a very good price: Travel Pass insurance.
Once you have subscribed, you will receive your insurance certificate by e-mail. What’s more, Mondassur offers you personalized support, and our advisors will answer all your questions.
It’s a question of integrating a responsible approach to make tourism a less and less degrading sector .
