Global shift in the tourism industry policy before and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This paper is about comparing differences between the tourism policy, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. By analyzing OECD policy papers from 2011 to 2021, the global trend of the tourism industry was researched. The tourism industry was affected heavily after the advent of this pandemic in December 2019. Comparing the number of tourists before and after the COVID-19, the number of tourists decreased, which means that the tourism industry shrunk considerably. In other words, this shows how the COVID-19 pandemic changes individuals’ lives enormously. This paper is composed of two parts that discuss the global shifts in the tourism industry before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature review consists of two parts, before and after the COVID-19. First, it discusses the policymakers’ focus on tourism policy before the COVID-19 pandemic affected society. Here, the paper focuses on promoting tourism growth, achieving tourism competitiveness, and achieving green innovation in the tourism industry. The ways to achieve those are at local, regional, and national levels of the tourism industry. It is detectable that the role and responsibility of the central government are essential. Government funding and marketing strategies can achieve tourism growth and competitiveness. Furthermore, development at the subnational level, regions, and cities play a crucial role in tourism growth. After the pandemic, policymakers focus on tourism policy after the COVID-19 pandemic came into our lives. After the considerable impacts of the pandemic, most policymakers put attention to lessening the negative effects of COVID-19 on the tourism industry. In other words, this part presents resilience and recovery in the tourism industry, detects the benefits of digital transformation gaps and skills, and prepares for the digital future in the tourism industry. The first step is to discuss recovery plans and then see some case studies that emphasize the digital future of tourism. Cases reveal the urgency of developing digitalization gaps to overcome challenges in the tourism industry. To develop a digital future globally, technological support and digital advancement are required from governments. The pandemic brought us many challenges in the country’s economy, at the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic was an eye-opener for preparations for future crises. This means that the pandemic gives policymakers a chance to change policies and structures in the tourism industry. In the analysis part, policies for three countries, Korea, Canada, and the United Kingdom are researched. From these three countries, it is noticed that the government puts its effort to protect the survival of the tourism sector, restore visitor confidence in travel, and attract more visitors from both domestic and international tourists.