How will the tourism sector recover?

The Rebounding Power of The Tourism Sector

Without a doubt, there's hardly an industry that hasn't taken a punch from Miss Rona - the affectionate name we Australians have bestowed on the notorious Covid-19. Yet, the sector that bore the full brunt of the pandemic's fury is no other than the tourism industry. Flights grounded faster than a naughty kid during school holidays, and towering hotels became giants of emptiness. But - and there's a big 'but' here - count it out at your own peril.

Like a turbo-charged kangaroo, the tourism sector has this incredible knack for bouncing back - every time. The Global financial Crisis, SARS, and the disaster that was my attempt to do the Nullarbor cross-country trek on a moped. These are all significant events, and yet, they couldn't pull the industry down for long. Recover? You betcha. It's a matter of when, not if.

Adjusting To The New Tourism Landscape

What we need to do, my dear readers, is to understand and appreciate the changes that our world's gone through. And to do that, we can't cling onto the tried and true. Instead, we need to learn to hustle and to be flexible. Like that time when I tried surfing at Bondi beach, only to realise my balance is as good as a T-rex on a unicycle. But, it's all about adjusting, right?

First things first, we need to acknowledge that global outbound tourism might take a trip to the slow lane for a bit. For many, memories of weeks spent in lockdown make the thought of journeying overseas less appealing than wrestling a crocodile over the last toilet figure. Travel restrictions, testing requirements, and the need for travel insurance have all added to the reasons people are choosing to stay put. So g'day, Domestic Travel!

Targeting Domestic And Local Tourism

Now, let's take a gander at domestic and local tourism. As international borders remained closed, Australians have taken to explore their sun-kissed backyards. National parks, beach resorts, wine country, the terrifying rabbit plague down in Victoria - there's plenty to see right here in Oz.

We've seen a massive surge in these "staycations," which are a brilliant fallback plan for when you realise your passport's expired a week before your Bali trip. Not only are local attractions experiencing unexpected tourist boons, but the average person is becoming more aware of and appreciating the beauty of their own stomping grounds.

The Role Of Sustainable Tourism

With all that local travel happening, it's only right we discuss sustainable tourism. Now, I'm not gonna be all preachy about Mother Earth. But, let's face it; we've got one planet, and she's a stunna. And while our travelling tendencies are changing, why not take the chance to nudge them towards more responsible practices?

Right from the word go, we should be promoting businesses that are environmentally friendly, provide local employment and encourage the protection of landmarks and wildlife. Of course, sustainable tourism isn't a new concept, but coming out of the pandemic, it's got a chance to become a mainstay. You know, like vegemite on toast, or a holden ute at Bunnings.

Technology: The Virtual Travel Experience

And who can forget the new cool kid on the block - tech-driven virtual travel? Sure, it's not going to replace the raw thrill of visiting a new place, feeling the tingle of foreign air, and attempting to understand a local menu that seems to be written in hieroglyphs.

But can it act as a supplement? Guide us through museum exhibits? Give us previews of locations? Let us share our experiences in real-time with folks back home? Absolutely! So pack a sandwich, sit back and let technology guide the way - just don't spill your drink on the keyboard.

The bottom line is that the recovery of the tourism sector is somewhat inevitable. There's a whole world out there, and people are instinctively curious. We're explorers by nature - although, after getting lost in Brisbane's CBD, I've realised I might not make the best Marco Polo. But change is the name of the game. And just like my epic treadmill fail at my local gym, we have to dust ourselves off, take the lessons on board, and move forwards, one step at a time.