The temporary closure of educational institutions during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has abruptly transformed the global education landscape in favor of distance learning. 2 This radical shift saw a surge in the use of various digital platforms and applications, including digital learning management systems, collaboration platforms for live-video communication, massive open online courses (MOOCs), and tools for creating learning content. 3 Some platforms have offered free access to basic services, especially during the pandemic, which higher education institutions used extensively, especially among academic staff and students with digital experience. For example, 90.3% of universities in Japan were providing distance learning as of 1 June 2020. 4 In upper-middle-income countries, 88% of youth managed to continue learning, including 54% by video lectures and 40% by online testing. 5 ADB BRIEFS no.

INTRODuCTION Before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, travel and tourism contributed 10.4% to global gross domestic product (GDP) and supported 319 million jobs (World Travel and Tourism Council [WTTC] 2019). International tourist arrivals reached 1.5 billion in 2019, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) forecasted that international arrivals would grow by 3%-4% in 2020 (UNWTO 2020a). Arrivals in the Asia and Pacific region were expected to grow by 5%-6% in 2020. If managed well, this rapid expansion of tourism was expected to contribute to poverty reduction and inclusive growth (Chok, Macbeth, and Warren 2007; Mitchell and Ashley 2009; ADB 2017). Since March 2020, COVID-19 has paralyzed tourism as countries closed their borders, suspended commercial aviation, restricted domestic travel, and implemented physical distancing measures. The UNWTO reports 22% fewer international arrivals in the first quarter of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019, with the largest drop in the Asia and Pacific. In light of the pandemic, global arrivals could decline by up to 78% in 2020. This would place 120 million jobs at risk and reduce visitor exports by $1.2 trillion (UNWTO 2020b). Developing Asia, particularly tourism-dependent countries in Southeast Asia, is expected to be heavily affected (ADB 2020). The Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) reported its first two COVID-19 cases on 24 March 2020 (Government of the Lao PDR, Ministry of Health n.d). A nationwide lockdown followed on 30 March 2020, prohibiting residents from leaving their homes except for essentials. All international ports of entry were closed to tourists, issuance of tourist visas suspended, and interprovincial travel banned. 2 Although hotels, resorts, and restaurants were allowed to continue operating under strict guidelines, travel restrictions severely undercut demand.