Tourism and Sustainability in Times of COVID-19: The Case of Spain

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the effects of the spread of the COVID-19 virus in different regions and its impact on the economy and regional tourist flows. To this end, the researchers have been guided by a set of propositions which they have tried to demonstrate with the results obtained. This research shows that the impact of the pandemic is still being evaluated. The analysis of the relationship between the tourism sector and the pandemic outbreak in Spain provides an instructive case study to assist tourism in its recovery process. The paper delves into the impacts on the main Spanish touristic regions during the pandemic and providing implications for tourism recovery. In Spain, the tourism sector is of major economic importance, becoming one of the most vulnerable countries when crisis affects this industry. The negative image of the country due to the high infection rates has had a negative impact on travel and tourism. The Balearic Islands have been the most affected region with an 87% decrease in tourist visitors. The trips made by Spanish residents inside the Spanish territory shows the first increase found in the series analyzed. Domestic tourism not only represents an opportunity for all regions in this critical situation, but the types of accommodation also play a key role.

Exploring Residents’ Perceptions of the Socio-Cultural Benefits of Tourism Development in the Mountain Area

“…Future studies should be carried out to determine tourists' perceptions about the quality and the diversity of tourism services in the area, on the one hand, and those of tourism services providers, on the other hand, especially during the current period in which the hospitality industry is experiencing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies related to the effect of the COVID-19 crisis are of great importance today, revealing consumption habits and sustainability issues related to tourism development [64][65][66][67]. Nevertheless, as pointed by Bello et al [15], the socio-cultural impact relates closely to the place; thus, continuing the research in the studied area under these new circumstances would be useful to actors from the hospitality industry.…”

A Study to Investigate the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourist Arrivals in Belize

“…Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, numerous scholars have written about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) advised all governments around the world to take extra precautions as they faced the preliminary phase of a health emergency (Moreno-Luna et al, 2021). Thereafter, most countries imposed travel restrictions that halt the movement of international tourists.…”

Tourism in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Towards Sustainable Regional Development

“…The Covid-19 pandemic highlights the need for an expanded understanding of the nature of domestic and regional tourism across the continent (Rogerson, Baum, 2020). Moreno-Luna et al (2021) claim that the evolution of domestic tourism in Spain could be a great hope for the country's resilience and, with the right measures, it could favour a change in the tourism development model of countries like Spain, focusing more on sustainable, less intensive proposals, with less impact on the population and the environment. Authors emphasise that domestic tourism represents an opportunity for all regions.…”

“…Sustainability may become more prominent in tourism choices, due to greater awareness of climate change and adverse impacts of tourism . The research work by Moreno-Luna et al (2021) shows the importance of domestic tourism alleviating the ravages of the health and socioeconomic crisis, with rural and camping types of accommodation leading visitors' choices. This is evidence of one of the most appropriate options for the development of sustainable tourism, providing quality of life for residents and safety for tourists.…”