TLH210 - Tourism & Hospitality: COVID-19 Impact and Virtual Tourism

This essay examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry, highlighting the significant disruptions caused by travel restrictions, business closures, and event cancellations. The report focuses on the challenges faced by various sectors within tourism, including hotels, travel agencies, and transportation services, and analyzes the economic losses incurred. It then proposes a virtual tourism strategy as a potential solution for businesses to revive and sustain their operations post-COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of health and safety measures to attract tourists. The essay further discusses how businesses can leverage technology and marketing efforts to promote virtual tourism and adapt to the changing preferences of travelers in a post-pandemic world, including medical and wellness tourism.

TLH210 Current Issues in Tourism and
Hospitality Assessment Brief
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INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
Current issue in tourism..........................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
Tourism is a process or an act in which individuals spend their time away from their usual
place or home in the pursuit of leisure, recreation and relaxation while undertaking utilisation of
commercial provision of services (Cheung and et. al., 2021). In addition to this it is an economic,
cultural and social phenomena which include movement of individual to places or countries
which is mostly outside their usual environment, with a purpose for business, professional or
personal reasons. Tourism industry is also defined as travel industry. This industry is mainly
associated with the idea of individual travelling to one location from other which can be either
international or domestic for business, leisure or social purpose. Tourism industry is somehow
closely connected to hospitality industry, hotel industry, transportation industry and more. These
industrial sectors engaged in the service of keeping tourist equipped, happy and occupied
according to their needs and demands. This industry is one of the world's largest industries and
provide significant economic contribution at large extent. Furthermore, it has been underlined
that tourism industry is a wide-ranging industry which include transportation, hotel and number
of additional sectors and industries. This industry is playing important role in almost all the
countries around the world, as tourism is the major source of foreign income and GDP tourism.
This industry significantly offers number of benefits that include economic, job opportunities
and attract large number of visitors that increase government foreign reserve fund. Tourism
industry also help in enhancing living standards of local businesses or individual this industry
provides jobs for individual those who are working in hospitality and transport industry and
more. Tourism industry is having significant potential to make improvement in relationship
among nation, states or business while developing an opportunity for recreation and
entertainment. This industry also plays a major role in improving value of currency and also
open up cultural exchange opportunities. However, there are some certain issues that this
industry is facing which is discussed in this report with the help of focusing upon some certain
issue or controversy.
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MAIN BODY
Current issue in tourism
Tourism is mainly understood as an activity of touring and travelling. This is mainly a set
of interconnected activities of tourist in which they travel from a place to place. This makes
tourism as an important industry that have major contribution in monetary as well as economic
point of view. Tourism industry mainly include all the organisation those who engage in the
services of offering products and services which is basically used by tourist at various stages of
travel and tourism. It has been analysed the tourism is a vibrant, fast, dynamic as well as growth-
oriented industry which is inclusive of number of business activities which fulfils the need of
tourist at the time period when they visit different places by the way of travelling, tourism or
touring. Furthermore, it has been evaluated that tourism is basically a very broad industry which
include different type of sectors or industry that duly offers different or same form of products
and services while creating the demand for tourism. However, it has been underlined that there
are some certain forms of current issues in tourism which is playing major role in affecting
business operations at greater scale:
The current issue in tourism industry that affected its majority of operations is the outbreak
of coronavirus (Covid-19). It has been evaluated that the tourism industrial sector is one of the
industries which is majorly hit by this crisis. Travel agents, hotels, provider of sports and leisure
activities, restaurants and many other associated suppliers and other service companies those
who engage in tourism forced to completely discontinue their operations (Chhabra and et. al.,
2021). Along with this it has been underlined that covid-19 makes some of the companies or
organisations to shut down their business, as tourism is the major hit industry due to the outbreak
of this pandemic. Furthermore, as per the analysis it has been identified that the coronavirus
pandemic lead tourism industry around the world to suspension of their services and operations,
in order to break the transmission of covid-19 virus. Government of all the countries around the
world suspended all the visas and restricted companies within this sector to operate their
functions. This lead towards negative economic impact upon this industry. It has been identified
that this industry is among one of the worst hit industries. Tourism due to the covid-19 impacted
in outbound and inbound domestic and all other forms of tourism verticals. In addition to this it
has been evaluated that family restaurants venues, travel agent, tour operators, land, air and sea
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transportation, restaurant, destination and various value chain across tourism have been hit due to
this issue. Along with this it has been analysed that lockdown lead towards highly discouraging
sign of tourism in which cancellation of booking was being done that made companies to return
the amount. This not only affected their sustainability but also lead them to face major economic
crisis. The issue of covid-19 in tourism lead many sectors for example online travel agencies,
travel agent, nightclubs, restaurant and more to permanently shut their business operations.
Covid-19 has serious impact upon this industrial sector which affected organisations to
effectively perform their business operations. Along with this it has been evaluated that,
advisories and restrictions that has been issued for domestic as well as international travel by the
government around the countries have impacted inbound and outbound tourism. In addition to
this according to the report of, The World Travel and Tourism Council it has been identified that
coronavirus cause global tourism at least 50-billion-dollar losses (Coronavirus to cost global
tourism industry 'at least' $50 billion. 2020). Thus, it has been identified that outbreak of the
covid-19 is the current issue in tourism that lead towards major financial impact upon global
tourism industry. In this, dozens of airlines have been suspended among different countries and
due to the cancellation of planed trips, this makes suppliers in this industrial sector have to return
the amount that added additional burden on them.
This issue in tourism industry really interests my imagination, as it has been evaluated that due to
the outbreak of this pandemic individuals around the world cancelled their travel plans.
Furthermore, it has been underlined that health official and governments around the globe also
warned the public to avoid tour whether for business purpose. It has been identified that
Olympics, trade show and number of events and conferences have also been postponed or
cancelled. This result towards many businesses organisation in tourism industry to find
themselves in jeopardy. The negative economic impact of coronavirus on this industry will
impact business operations among this industrial sector for long run along. In addition to this it
has been identified that number of major sports, events and conferences has been cancelled like,
2020 Olympic and Paralympic Olympics for a year due to the covid-19 pandemic which affected
tourism at greater extent, as Olympics provide number of opportunities to business organisation
to increase their sales while satisfying needs and demands of customers (Joshi and Gupta, 2021).
As per the analysis of this issue furthermore it has been identified that many health officials
around the world warned that covid-19 has not gone and individuals around the world have to
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live with it. This virus keeps on emerging at a certain period of time which led speculations of
cancelling events such as Tokyo 2021. Along with this it has been identified that this pandemic
duly lead towards number of changes in the lifestyle for population around the world people.
They avoided travel and stay home whether by choice or due to government restriction. In
addition to this, international travel has also stopped as state department recommended all the
citizens to avoid international travels and domestic travel. This affected tourism industry and
lead them to face number of losses. The main purpose to conduct this essay is to conduct in
depth analysis of the current issue in tourism and state an inspiration or strategy through which
companies in this industry can reduce the negative impact of the outbreak of covid-19 at some
extent (UN: Global Tourism Lost $320 Billion In 5 Months From Virus. 2020). Furthermore, it
has been evaluated that due to the emergence of covid-19 on continuous manner, there is a
negative impact on organisations or business operators in tourism sector to conduct their
business operations in a smooth manner. This is also affecting them to make strategy to attract
customers, as covid-19 is still prevailing in environment which is leading number of deaths and
hazardous health impact on individual (Kaushal, and Srivastava, 2021). Thus, in order to assure
sustainability, it is essential for organisational in tourism to come up with strategy to provide a
business service that will help individuals while maintaining government regulation.
Virtual tourism strategy
It is essential for organisation within this sector to undertake use of efficient strategy such
as virtual tourism in order to strive their business in a sustainable and effective manner post
covid-19. The current issue in tourism inspires my imagination in a way that, virtual tourism
strategy will play efficient role for business revival for the organisations post covid. As now-a -
days individuals are more familiar with Internet and mostly everyone has access to this and
mainly concern about safety and healthy environment in which they can have a easiest tour. In
this, hotels, restaurants and other organisation in tourism sector by emphasising upon health and
safety of tourist can significantly promote themselves with the help of virtual tourism. In this
organisation with less crowded environment and proper use of internet can showcase tourist
attractive destinations and can maximise volume of foreign tourist. It is essential for
organisations in this industry to interact with doctors and medical professionals and offer them
cost-saving services. This will help companies in this sector to enhance their marketing efforts
through which they can promote their offerings with the help of social media marketing, search
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engine optimisation and more. Number of individuals around the world mainly prefer for
international destination, by taking opportunity of this hotels and other tour operators can boost
their operations by offering customers opportunity to travel digitally with the help of virtual
tourism (Lim, 2021). In addition to this it has been analysed that post Covid-19 individual prefer
to adopt a preventive health care environment. By emphasizing upon this organisation in tourism
sector are required to engage in careful planning of their marketing strategy as to promote
facilities in their services related to virtual tourism. It has been evaluated that tourism industry
can play major role in medical and wellness tourism. In this hotel, food service providers,
lodging sector, transportation in tourism industry can efficiently take care of patients and
families travel will experience to provide them tangible satisfaction such as lodging, efficient
transportation, shopping, foodservice and tourist activities can enhance their loyalty. Along with
this by offering intangible services such as high end experience during pre or post departure and
focusing upon innovative design, amenities and services while concerning health factors can
enhance their sales. Furthermore, after ease of lockdown hotels can take use of making
modification in their services by evaluating challenging factors imposed by covid-19 tourism
industry can seamlessly provide their services to the type of guest and particularly to those who
are traveling for medical purpose. In this, facilities like quick check-in process, translators, first
aid services perception delivery, 24-hour room service, shopping service, all-inclusive pricing,
nursing and dietician staff will play efficient role through which tourism industry can revive
themselves post covid. For example, food sector in tourism industry by emphasizing upon health
needs of individuals especially for those who are recovering patient can provide them food. This,
will help them to enhance their immunity can increase their sales by satisfying consumers needs.
Along with his hotels by offering that services or facility of nursing and dietician staff and
providing training activities to their employees to deal with patient needs can effectively perform
their business operations post covid. This will not only help this industry to be mindful of the
good deeds and help through this downturn, but will also allow them to operator business
activities in an effective manner while assuring higher sales. Furthermore, in order to enhance
their business operations effectiveness while assuring long term sustainability even during the
time of crisis hotels, lodging sector, transportation sector can effectively sign up to support the
health care community. In this, hotels can provide cost effective and affordable services and
facilities for healthcare workers in order to provide them services effectively. This will enhance
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hotel brand image in community that will benefit them to attract new customers. Along with this
companies in tourism industry can boost collaboration with government in order to provide
assistance during health crisis. Thus, by taking care of people tourism industry can uniquely
position themselves in community this will help them to enhance their organisation image
through which they can strive growth in future. The outbreak of covid-19 has devastated impact
on every sector in tourism industry. In this by significantly contributed in a community during
the time of covid crisis and offering other forms of facilities and services post covid such as free
test and vaccination centres will significantly facilitate hotels, lodging sector, transportation
sector to perform their business operations. However, during travel restriction it is important AI
and other form of technologies will play essential role in allowing organisation in tourism
industry to promote their services.
Thus, according to the analysis of above discussion it has been identified that tourism is an
important sector that help in the contribution of economic development, growth and provide
large scale of job opportunities. However due to the outbreak of covid-19 this industry get
affected at a large scale in economic and other terms (Yeh, 2021). The current issue of covid-19
affected travel agent provider of sports and leisure activities, hotels and other form of associated
suppliers to face number of losses. This made them to face large scale financial crisis. However,
in order to assure sustainability and offers services post covid-19 while attracting customers in
effective manner it is essential for all the sectors in tourism industry to emphasize upon health
and safety concern of individuals. For instance, hotels can join their hands with local and state
government to provide accommodation for the services like showing attractive places with the
help of virtual tourism. This will later allow them to enhance their marketing through which they
can grab attention of large base of consumers (Zhang and Liu, 2021). Thus, this current issue in
tourism industry have tendency to affect long-term operations of organisations in this sector.
However, with the help of taking advantage of innovativeness and uniqueness in services and
facilities and offering cost-effective facilities to customers and making collaboration with local,
state or national government tourism industry can continue their business operations by taking
care of individuals.
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CONCLUSION
According to the above-mentioned report it has been concluded that tourism industry is
associated to the idea of individual travelling from one geographical location to other either in
international or domestic manner for business, leisure or social purpose. This industry is playing
important role and is one of the largest industrial sectors around the world. Tourism industry
offer economic advantages to countries around the world and play major role in bringing foreign
currency. This is a wide rate industry which is inclusive of transportation, hotel, food and other
industry or sectors. From this report it has been evaluated that tourism industry provide number
of benefits that include economic advantages to country, job opportunities, increased in living
standard of local individuals, improvement in relationship between nation, states or countries and
more. There are a number of sector within this industry that include transportation, airline, car,
rental, water transport service, railways, spacecraft, accommodation, hotel, catering, food and
beverage, restaurant, financial service, online travel agencies and many more. This report states
that due to the outbreak of covid-19 there is an adverse impact that has been seen by all the
sectors in tourism industry. Almost all the institution has faced major financial losses at greater
extent. Covid-19 triggers the ability of organisations in this industry to continue their business
operations. However, form this report it has been underlined that there are significant
opportunities that can be undertaken by organisations in the sector to provide their services by
attracting number of individuals post covid- 19. Facilities such as offering virtual tour facilities
to customer will help in enhancing their tour experience. Along with this there are other form of
facilities such as all-inclusive pricing, discounts on virtual tourism opportunities and more
through which hotel and other sector can enhance their brand image and can later influence
consumer mind set.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Cheung, C and et. al., 2021. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological needs of
tourists: implications for the travel and tourism industry. Journal of Travel & Tourism
Marketing, 38(2), pp.155-166.
Chhabra, A and et. al., 2021. Medical tourism in the Covid-19 era: opportunities, challenges and
the way ahead. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes.
Fotiadis, A., Polyzos, S. and Huan, T.C.T., 2021. The good, the bad and the ugly on COVID-19
tourism recovery. Annals of Tourism Research, 87, p.103117.
Joshi, V.A. and Gupta, I., 2021. Assessing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on hospitality
and tourism education in India and preparing for the new normal. Worldwide
Hospitality and Tourism Themes.
Kaushal, V. and Srivastava, S., 2021. Hospitality and tourism industry amid COVID-19
pandemic: Perspectives on challenges and learnings from India. International Journal
of Hospitality Management, 92, p.102707.
Khalid, U., Okafor, L.E. and Burzynska, K., 2021. Does the size of the tourism sector influence
the economic policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic?. Current Issues in Tourism,
pp.1-20.
Lim, W.M., 2021. Conditional recipes for predicting impacts and prescribing solutions for
externalities: the case of COVID-19 and tourism. Tourism Recreation Research, 46(2),
pp.314-318.
Yeh, S.S., 2021. Tourism recovery strategy against COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism Recreation
Research, 46(2), pp.188-194.
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Zhang, H., Song, H., Wen, L. and Liu, C., 2021. Forecasting tourism recovery amid COVID-
19. Annals of Tourism Research, 87, p.103149.
Online
Coronavirus to cost global tourism industry 'at least' $50 billion. 2020. [Online]. Available
throughhttps://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2020-02-08/Coronavirus-to-cost-global-tourism-
industry-at-least-50-billion-NTTQMOt0v6/index.html
UN: Global Tourism Lost $320 Billion In 5 Months From Virus. 2020. [Online]. Available
throughhttps://www.news18.com/news/world/un-global-tourism-lost-320-billion-in-5-
months-from-virus-2816863.html
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