“We can’t return to normal”: committing to tourism equity in the post-pandemic age

Abstract

Tourism transformation must bring an actionable focus on equity.A new normal openly recognizes the crises and tensions inhabiting tourism well before the COVID-19 pandemic along with the holistic and integrated nature of a pro-equity agenda. A resilient post-pandemic tourism must be more equitable and just, in terms of how it operates, its effects on people and place, and how we as scholars teach, study and publicly engage the travel industryparticularly in preparing its current and future leaders. A commitment to equity is about making specific changes in practices and decisions at multiple levels, along with growing a wider ethical framework. This pivot of a mindset requires us, as tourists, corporations, and educators to step away from a selfish perspective and critically change our perception and understanding of tourism to a truly equitable focus. Consequently, these actions force us to question the consumerism and capitalistic lens that has contributed to mass growth across the touristic landscape and instead, choose a system that fosters sustainable and equitable growth -which in turn, 'slows down' our ways of consuming the world around us -transforming our values and experiences of what tourism is and should be.

Reviving tourism industry post-COVID-19: A resilience-based framework

“…The present times are the most appropriate to promote a sustainable and equitable tourism industry ( Benjamin et al, 2020 ). As per Carr (2020) , original cultural sites suggest happiness, physical condition, environmental responsibility, and conventional ecological information.…”

The future of the chef occupation and the food and beverage sector after the COVID-19 outbreak: Opinions of Turkish chefs

“…Also, because the outbreak deeply affects tourism mobility, tourism-related businesses worldwide are closed and employees remain unemployed. ( Benjamin et al, 2020 ). It is understood by their answers that this uncertain process caused by the COVID-19 outbreak also affected kitchen employees in the food and beverage sector.…”

COVID-19 and African tourism research agendas

“…Reflecting on the need to reconsider global mobility Renaud (2020) proposes alternative tourism development pathways which are aligned to the principles of deglobalisation and degrowth of the industry. For tourism transformation to occur Benjamin et al (2020) call for an actionable commitment to equity, Gretzel et al (2020) for transformative e-Tourism research, Stankov et al (2020) for more 'mindful' consumers, and Carr (2020b) for the incorporation of diverse cultural values, including from indigenous peoples, in order to ensure more equitable tourism futures. Everingham & Chassagne (2020) advocate a shift away from capitalist growth models for tourism and instead redirecting priorities away from simply economic growth and instead towards enhanced environmental and social well-being.…”