Post-COVID-19 tourism: transformations of travelling experience

ENThe COVID-19 pandemic has had an irreversible impact on the tourism sector. This is related to the transformation of tourism products and services, the supply of new tourism services and products and tourism development at new destinations. The tourism sector will have to introduce new technological and non-technological innovations, new products and services in a changing social environment, while tourism stakeholders must adapt to new business models and new social and economic realities. Based on document analysis, this chapter discusses both the sectors’ adaptability and management measures taken in the tourism sector during the COVID-19 pandemic and the transformations of tourism in the post-COVID-19 period. Some examples from Lithuania are presented, where different governmental measures were implemented to manage the crisis and mitigate its impact on the tourism sector. Most implemented measures were intended to promote the tourism sector after the lockdown and pandemic and transform the tourism system by developing innovative and digital tourism services. Post-COVID-19 tourism is analysed using social, environmental and technological factors. The re-evaluation of tourism resources and the environment is related to a new tourism opportunity in sustainable business development, adaptation of innovations, digitalisation and climate change. This chapter proposes the concept of re-tourism, which is related to the transformation of the tourism sector. This chapter shows that re-tourism can be related to reshaping our mindset and preferences. The author provides examples of how future tourism trends relate to the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. [From the publication]

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