The revival of tourism needs a reinvention of the industry
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been lethal for world tourism. Those most affected are the countries where the sector was the main engine of its economy. Prior to the spread of the virus, the United Nations announced that by 2030 there would be more than 1.8 billion travelers traveling the planet. Sure, the numbers will change, but there is always a light at the end of the road.
Despite the fact that the last 20 years have meant a tourist boom, which has been reflected in an exponential growth in the industry, the reality is hitting hard. However, many countries work tirelessly on international protocols for the revival of their national and international tourism.
Italy, the first epicenter of the pandemic, has just reopened its borders for Europe, as has Germany. While France already allows domestic travel, in Spain foreign flights will be allowed from July 1. They all make desperate attempts to save the tourism industry, which represents 10% of the economy and guarantees 1 in 10 jobs worldwide.
Technology is key to reviving post-pandemic tourism
On the other hand, in South America the emergency measures continue. Many governments analyze an imminent reactivation of national and international tourism. The only visible option, at this time when the pandemic is raging in the region, is to redefine the future of travel, using technology as a tool.
Boosting the process of reviving tourism should not only be innovating in our promotion strategies on the incredible attractions of destinations dreamed of by millions of people, such as Machu Picchu, in Cusco, one of the wonders of the world. But also constantly inform tourists about the protection guidelines, government regulations, trends in the sector at the national level, and the hard work that tourism agents do to make the normalization of the industry a reality.
It is essential to position effective direct communication channels to disseminate information on security guarantees, professionalism of tourism companies, commitment, experience, and empathy.
Precisely, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has stressed that in order to promote the industry it is vital to restore trust, using the digital transformation of tourism as the main tool.
Imminent revival of tourism in Peru
Peruvian Transport Minister Carlos Lozada has announced that domestic flights will start from July, while international travel would be part of the economic reactivation process at the end of its third phase or at the beginning of the fourth.
That is, in late July or early August, international flights would be allowed, which will adequately comply with world health protocols against Covid-19.
Likewise, as a strategy to reactivate tourism activity, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru, through Legislative Decree 1507, has arranged for free admission of children and older adults to 55 cultural sites (Machu Picchu, the network of Inca roads, among others) and 22 protected natural areas. The validity of this provision will be from July 1 to December 31, 2020.
The UNWTO ensures that the total recovery of international tourism could take up to 3 years, however we can start by reinventing the sector, expanding our vision, not only as a travel agent, but also as a consumer, seeking comprehensive care, aligned to the mandates of virus prevention.
A while ago, the UN declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. Why 2020 or 2021 cannot be the Year of the Digital Transformation of Tourism for its Post-pandemic Economic Reactivation?