Post COVID-19 travel: a shift towards sustainability?
Sandrine Camia is Deputy General Manager of the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority.
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THE smallest country in the world wants to send a message of hope to one of the largest countries in the world.
Whilst we are all impacted and affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, let’s not forget that we, as an industry, are in this together and whilst challenges have been unprecedented, so has been the ever-growing sense of unity we’ve been experiencing over these last months.
Maybe it is this exact spirit that will push the world tourism industry to be more mobilised than ever to change our approach, offering a chance to guide countries and cities worldwide towards a healthier, happier and more sustainable tomorrow.
The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike any crisis we have experienced before, and it will change the ways people are travelling significantly and for a long time.
In general, security will more than ever become a crucial criterion for choosing a destination.
The 9/11 attacks changed security controls forever and COVID-19 will bring new sanitary controls: masks, hand sanitiser, physical distancing, temperature - and immune passport checks will become new standards.
Travellers will focus on balanced sustainable growth, giving stronger value to the local communities they are visiting.
Domestic tourism will reach new heights and smaller destinations will become more appealing and safer than ever.
These new trends may mark the end of mass tourism, giving way to a more selective and sustainable way of travelling.
Especially in the tourism sector, there has been increased awareness about the climate emergency for several years and just as much as the tourism industry is one of the most affected by this crisis, it is also the sector which could play a vital key role in shaping a better sustainable world.
COVID-19 may speed up changes in the way we travel, encouraging us to evaluate how we could minimise our environmental impact and adapt our ways of travelling accordingly.
Like HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco said in the message he delivered on the occasion of the 50th Earth Day recently: “It is the choices each one of us makes that will enable us to save our environment. Let us not miss this opportunity.”
However, these positive effects will only occur if the tourism sector recovers without losing millions of jobs.
All policy makers should use the COVID-19 crisis to create a more sustainable and resilient tourism system in order to respond, united, to any future shocks.
We would also like to take this as an opportunity to thank our Australian travel industry partners for their ongoing support.
We cannot wait to welcome you and your clients in the Principality again once this crisis is over.
Until then, take care of yourself. We miss you.
“COVID-19 may speed up changes in the way we travel, encouraging us to evaluate how we could minimise our environmental impact and adapt our ways of travelling accordingly ”