Post COVID-19 ecological and social reset: moving away from capitalist growth models towards tourism as Buen Vivir

Abstract

Tourism has been one of the industries most highly affected by COVID-19. The COVID-19 global pandemic is an 'unprecedented crisis' and has exposed the pitfalls of a hyper consumption model of economic growth and development. The scale of immediate economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has shattered the myth of 'catch up development' and 'perpetual growth'. The Crisis has brought unintended degrowth, presenting opportunities for an economic and social 'reset'. In terms of long-term thinking post COVID-19, it is time to change the parameters of how we imagine a trajectory going forward, to prefigure possibilities for contesting capitalist imperatives that 'there is no alternative'. In relation to tourism, the pandemic provides an opportunity for reimaging tourism otherwise, away from exploitative models that disregard people, places, and the natural environment, and towards a tourism that has positive impacts. Non-western alternatives to neo-colonial and neoliberal capitalism, such the South American concept of 'Buen Vivir', can help us to shift priorities away from economic growth, towards greater social and environmental wellbeing, and meaningful human connections. Taking a Buen Vivir approach to tourism will continue the degrowth momentum, for transformative change in society within the earth's physical limits. Yet Buen Vivir also redefines the parameters of how we understand 'limits'. In limiting unsustainable practices in development and tourism, a focus on Buen Vivir actually creates growth in other areas, such as social and environmental wellbeing, and meaningful human connection. Buen Vivir can reorient the tourism industry towards localised tourism, and slow tourism because the principles of Buen Vivir require these alternatives to be small-scale, local and benefiting host communities as well as tourists to increase the wellbeing for all.

Beach Tourism in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic: Critical Issues, Knowledge Gaps and Research Opportunities

“…With the continuing uncertainty about the impact of COVID-19, several possible scenarios are facing the tourism industry. These predictions range between a total collapse of the industry to an optimistic global switch to more sustainable consumption (see, for example, [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]). The most pessimistic scenario assumes that the extreme social perception of epidemiological risks seen in the first months of the pandemic will remain until the development of a reliable vaccine.…”

“…Many scientists and industry professionals see in the crisis a global opportunity to rethink old ways and reset the industry [ 27 , 28 ]. However, the early evidence shows that this is unlikely to be the case and that a return to business as usual [ 26 ] or possibly even increased growth to overcompensate for losses, is the most likely scenario [ 17 , 28 ].…”

COVID-19 and African tourism research agendas

“…A process of re-setting and re-envisioning the future of tourismof what has to changeis a major theme for discussion in contemporary tourism writings (Ateljevic, 2020;Baum & Hai, 2020;Bianchi, 2020;Everingham & Chassagne, 2020;Huijbens, 2020;Ioannides & Gyamóthi, 2020; Tremblay-Huet, 2020; Romagosa 2020; Tomassini & Carvagnaro 2020; Carr, 2020a; Higgins-Desbiolles, 2020b). Galvani et al (2020) are optimistic that COVID-19 is forcing an expansion of 'global consciousness' and that in future the pandemic will catalyse growing numbers of people, businesses and governments to evolve new ways of thinking and operating that harmonise more closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.…”

Application of Ecosophical Perspective to Advance to the SDGs: Theoretical Approach on Values for Sustainability in a 4S Hotel Company

“…The values provided by the Purpose and the ecosophy are not only valid for good times but especially in difficulties, such as those that humanity is experiencing with the Covid-19 pandemic [143]. This crisis that we are suffering has brought about an unplanned decline, making it necessary to plan tourism in the long term, taking into account the limitation of resources and the positive impacts, thus paving the way for a welfare approach [24].…”