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Domestic Travel in a COVID travel world

COVID-19 Recovery: Trends in Tourism

The tourism industry has shifted as a result of the pandemic

The summer of 2020 gave everyone hope of a quick recovery for the tourism industry, as COVID-19 cases seemed to drop across the globe and countries dependent on tourism eagerly opened their borders to travelers again. As many experts predicted, cases began to rise in the fall and the world saw a new and more intense wave of the pandemic, and the most cautious of countries like Australia and New Zealand announced their borders would remain shut until at least 2022. Now, more than a year after the pandemic began, the best outcome seems to be a return to pre-pandemic levels of travel by 2023 at the earliest.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted both the fragility of the tourism industry and its global importance: once representing 1 in 10 jobs and the 2nd fastest growing industry in the world, its near overnight shutdown left many destinations reeling. The beginning of vaccine rollout has given the tourism industry new hope for Covid-19 recovery and a safe return to travel. Already a growing number of countries have started to ease restrictions on travel which is one of the first steps to rebuild tourism and welcome guests. Now the main topic that keeps popping up in every conversation is that the industry cannot go back to ‘normal’–it must become more sustainable and resilient than before.

As much as the whole world is trying to fight the pandemic, countries are developing their own strategies to ensure fast recovery and support the tourism industry. For instance, New Zealand has decided to close its borders completely from April 2020, without any further notice. Meanwhile, countries like Georgia have chosen to welcome tourists who are either fully vaccinated or can show a negative PCR test result at the border. Despite a huge difference in the steps taken to fight the pandemic and keep the tourism industry alive, a few trends seem to be on most countries’ agendas.

Domestic travel

Domestic Travel in a COVID travel world
Domestic Travel in a COVID travel world

Recovery might be slow and highly dependent on countries’ domestic tourism, thus many countries are actively reimagining their tourism sectors, supply chain management, and strategies. It is predicted that domestic tourism will return to its pre-crisis levels one or two years earlier than outbound travel. This is understandable as travel restrictions are significantly less for domestic travel, no Covid tests or vaccines are needed prior to travel, and people generally feel safer when being close to their homes. Countries tend to communicate with their own residents to discover homelands or neighboring countries and support local businesses.

Sustainability and Resilience 

Sustainability & Resilience in Tourism
Sustainability & Resilience in Tourism

The discussion about sustainable tourism has been active long before Covid-19. However, the current situation has put extra emphasis on the fact that the industry needs to change and take multiple aspects into consideration. Now more than ever, topics such as environmental protection, workforce development, community building, economic security and capacity building are on every country’s agenda. The need for a diverse tourism industry that is not only dependent on outside factors has become very clear. 

Read more about community based tourism in our article about the lessons from Timor-Leste.

Digitalization

Asset Inventory for Tourism
Asset Inventory for Tourism

In the world of social and physical distance where almost every aspect of human lives has moved online, the tourism industry has also actively shifted towards digitalization. The destinations are using social media platforms to communicate with potential customers, spread information and inspire them to choose particular holidays. Content creation has become one of the main tasks of tourism industry members.. Web platforms such as booking.com, airbnb.com, expedia.com, maps.google.com, etc. are nothing new to the planning phase for travelers. Using digital tools to conduct business and communicate with suppliers, contractors and generally plan the business side of the tourism industry has also been increased. The newest addition to the digitization process of the industry would be the digital products and services the travelers are receiving in this Covid era. Things like 3D virtual travel, digital guidebooks, online menus, travel planning apps are getting more popular and push the industry towards even bigger digital transformation.

Solimar International has built a website for Lewis and Clark National Trail, which is one of the great examples of how the industry can benefit from digital tools. The website includes content about almost 1,000 points of interest that was written and submitted by local experts who know the area best. 

For more information, check out the project insights about Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

Emphasis on ‘safe’

Being safe is on every traveler’s agenda during the pandemic. There is no joy in traveling when the risk is as high as death and putting others at risk, so countries trying to open up for tourists put extra emphasis on being a safe travel destination. Countries do everything in their power to market themselves as Covid-free destinations, showcase the fact that all the guidelines are strictly followed, the staff is either fully vaccinated or tested regularly and that tourists will have a clean and disinfected environment all the time. In the hope of restoring traveler confidence, the destinations try to make safety their number one priority.

Undiscovered gems and less crowded areas

Another concept that keeps repeating in the messages that the destinations are sending out to the visitors is ‘less crowded’ or ‘undiscovered gem’. Today, people can feel uneasy being around too many people, and no one is happy about thinking of huge lines in front of the museums and packed cafes or restaurants. Therefore, destinations are actively promoting areas that are less crowded and still undiscovered, where travelers can keep their distance and still enjoy their holidays.  

Southern Tanzania is for instance one of the emerging destinations, welcoming tourists from all over the world. The majority of tourism to Tanzania is currently focused on the Northern and Eastern regions of the country. The Southern Circuit parks which are less visited at the moment, are home to incredible wildlife, including 10% of the world’s lion population and the most bird species found in the country. Visitors can enjoy fascinating scenery, authentic experiences with local communities, stunning beach and marine attractions along the Indian Ocean coastline.

For more, the UNWTO has published a Covid-19 Tourism Recovery Tracker that compiles all the relevant data in one place, giving governments and the private businesses the ability to track the recovery of tourism at global and regional level, alongside information on the top destinations for international tourism. It covers key tourism performance indicators by month, regions and subregions allowing for a real time comparison of the sector recovery across the world and industries. Follow the link to check out the tracker:

https://www.unwto.org/unwto-tourism-recovery-tracker

 

On June 17th 2021, President Joe Biden declared June 19th a Federal Holiday, the first day to receive this recognition since 1983. This new holiday, called Juneteenth, marks a pivotol moment in United States history, one that commemorates the end of slavery. This article details the history of Juneteenth and ways it is celebrated across the United States.

History

In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring that “all enslaved people in the states currently engaged in rebellion against the Union shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free”. However, this Proclamation hardly impacted many enslaved people, as only a few Union troops were able to enforce the new Executive Order. Two years later on June 19, 1865, Union Army general Gordon Granger proclaimed the end of the Civil War and the liberation of enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas via General Order No. 3. When more troops led by General Granger arrived along with the surrender of General Lee, this bolstered force was able defeat the resistance and liberate the enslaved. Each year, the United States will now mark the anniversary of this momentous order on June 19th, called Juneteenth.

Juneteenth Festivities and Celebrations

Also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, or America’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth is celebrated in every state across the United States. There are nuances to the day, simultaneously acknowledging the dark history of the United States while celebrating the contributions of black Americans to American society. There is also a strong element of education, with the work of prominent black artists and thinkers such as Ralph Ellison and Maya Angelou. Other festive celebrations include parades, parties, picnics, and music festivals in honor of freedom and collective diversity. Check your nearest town to find out what Juneteenth celebrations are happening in your community. 

Source: A. Ricketts for Visit Philadelphia

Juneteenth and Food Tourism

In Tourism Review International, Anne Donovan and Karen DeBres claim Barbecue is the centerpiece of most Juneteenth celebrations, as the food is closely linked with African-American origins. The original barbecuing method was to slowly roast the seasoned pork in a pit dug into the ground, also called “pit-barbecue”. The introduction of barbecuing culinary methods later got extended and blended in the American culture with the migration of the African-American population to different states. The preference of taste for barbecue cuisines also have developed locally over time. Consequently, food and barbecue has become one of the major attractions of Juneteenth. Aside from participating in the parade and getting to know the history through the interaction with the local community, the tourists are also often attracted by the delicious barbecuing food presented in the Juneteenth celebrations. 

Juneteenth Today and Further Meanings

Following the Black Lives Matter (BLM) – a political and social movement protesting against incidents of police brutality and racial violence targeting black people, the meaning of Juneteenth has become increasingly profound and culturally significant. The movement began in 2013 and garnered increasing attention after the murder of George Floyd by the police on May 25, 2020. The Juneteenth parade in 2020 was fueled by the momentum of the protest calling for justice and racial equality. The recognition of Juneteenth seems to be shifting from a historical celebration to a deeper legacy reflection of slavery and racial discrimination in American life.

Source: Leslie Cross on Unsplash

This year, despite the challenges created by COVID-19, there are still physical events and festivities taking place in many states to celebrate, attract domestic tourists around the country to take part in the festivities. The adaptation of celebrations not only empowers Americans to commemorate the meaningful day, but also for people around the globe to participate and understand the historical day and how we can achieve equality.

Get outside today and join your nearest Juneteenth celebration, showing up as an ally committed to rectifying the country’s dark history of systemic oppression. It is crucial for Americans to learn from our mistakes and strive for a more just society. Showing solidarity is an important first step.

Trail of the Ancients

Picture yourself walking through the forest, the desert, the mountains, or wherever your happy place is. You walk for a while, immersed in your own thoughts, and then finally pause to notice where you are. You’re alone, away from the busyness that is human society, and surrounded by the natural beauty of this area. The only sounds you hear are the local birds, the wind, maybe a stream. The only air you breathe in is clean and smells of rain, sun, dirt, plants. You are now experiencing this ecosystem in its purest form. And how did you get here? One foot after another down a trail.

On June 5th, the United States celebrates National Trails Day! This annual event occurs the first Saturday of June and was originally founded by the American Hiking Society in order to appreciate and care for our nation’s trails. Exploring trails on foot, horseback, or bicycle provides travelers with an up close and intimate connection with the natural ecosystems of this diverse country. Trails are also important because they allow people to have outdoor experiences while also preserving the natural state of the environment. By concentrating foot traffic to a single pathway, we keep the surrounding areas intact. This National Trails Day, Solimar International is honoring the occasion by highlighting the importance of trails, and detailing some of our favorites.

Most of us understand that spending time outside in nature is beneficial for our health, but how exactly? It turns out that spending time in nature can reduce anxiety, fight depression, lower blood pressure, mitigate inflammation, increase longevity, and more! Furthermore, spending time outside gives us the opportunity to educate ourselves on the local flora and fauna, learn geological history, and understand the stories of indegenous people who have lived as part of these ecosystems. Especially during this past year of COVID-19, many more people have been appreciating the endless benefits that come from immersing oneself in the natural world. Today, National Trails Day is even more important as we come out of a year of lockdowns and back to the busy world that we’re used to. We are so glad that this past year has allowed more and more people to enjoy the trails and natural spaces of our country, but now it’s time to make sure we’re all doing our part to protect these invaluable places.

While it has been great to see people getting outside and appreciating trails in all different ways like never before, we have also seen some negative consequences. Naturally, as the number of human visitors increases in natural areas, the amount of environmental degradation unfortunately also increases. At Solimar International, we strongly believe that everyone should have equal access and opportunity to explore the outdoors, but in order to protect these ecosystems there are important steps to be taken. It is necessary to educate ourselves on the protocols of respecting an area before embarking into the outdoors. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics provides insight into how trails are damaged over time and how you can help maintain them. The biggest takeaway is to follow trail closure signs, do not leave marked trails, and do not follow ‘social trails’. Social trails are unofficial trails that hikers create, and it can take an ecosystem 10-30 years to recover from this damage. An impactful way to celebrate this day is to sign the National Trails Day Pledge. You can also support the Transit to Trails Act which would remove transportation barriers to trails for communities who struggle with accessing the outdoors by telling your congress members to co-sponsor the act

Now comes the fun part. We have chosen several of our favorite trails in the United States to highlight, hopefully inspiring you to get out and find your own favorite! 

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

Sounds iconic, doesn’t it? That’s because it is! The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail follows the adventurous quest to the West Coast that was first completed between 1803 and 1806. It runs through 16 states and 4,900 miles of breathtaking scenery, rich history, and unique local cultures. It also passes through 15 tribal reservations, each of which has their own deep history dating back much later than the Lewis and Clark expedition. Commonly, people will drive or float sections of the trail or just stick to day hikes in areas such as Makoshika State Park in Montana, Lake Manawa in Iowa, Painted Rocks State Park in Montana, and many other unique places along the trail. 

Use the new Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Experience website to explore the entire trail and all of its attractions. This geotourism project is aimed at connecting communities, businesses, and people along the trail. It also provides the public with an easy to use resource to dive into the many different amenities and experiences available throughout these communities. After a long day of hiking in one of the beautiful natural areas in these regions, you can use the website to find restaurants and hotels! Check out the Native women owned Brigham Fish Market or the permaculture farmstay vacation rentals at ABC Acres to get an idea of the variety of experiences available through the geotourism website.

The Trail of the Ancients

Trail of the Ancients

This impressive trail is now also a scenic byway that runs through the American Southwest. It creates a loop through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico and passes through 24 Native American Tribe homelands, 6 national parks, and many more wilderness areas. From the fossils of the prehistoric age, to the impressive cities built by Native Americans, to the early Mornon settlements, this area’s history is nothing if not rich.While this whole trail is driveable, there are an endless amount of hiking and biking trails along it. Some of our favorites include hiking to the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, exploring the abundant archeological sites of the Canyon of the Ancients, and mountain biking Phil’s World Trail System near Cortez, CO.

Trails of the Sierra Nevada

Trails of the Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada is one of the best known mountain ranges in the US, and for good reason. These towering peaks spring up from low deserts, creating a one of a kind landscape. The diverse trails of the region offer activities for everyone, whether you’re scaling a fourteener or taking a meditative stroll through the woods. The Sierra Nevada Geotourism website is a great place to start looking for the perfect trail for you. Try horseback riding through the Alabama Hills, exploring the forests and streams of the John Muir Wilderness, or hiking to one of the largest trees in the world, the Boole Tree.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is the calming and stabilizing effect that nature provides. When everything else is turned upside down, remember that you can always find peace by getting outside. Accessing trails provides both mental and physical health benefits, while also teaching us about local ecosystems and history. To say thank you to this vast system, we encourage you to take the time to enjoy some trails and also learn more about how you can do your part to preserve them. Wherever you might be, we hope that this National Trails Day inspires you to explore, appreciate, and help preserve the trails that you love, or exploring a new one. And, of course, take a minute to say thank you to your local trail maintenance workers, parks, and organizations who make sure our trails stay healthy! Happy National Trails Day!

 

Tourism supports World Environmental Day

All living creatures on Earth depend on a healthy and balanced ecosystem to support their basic needs, and human beings are no exception. Over the years, the rapid expansion of cities and industrial developments have taken a toll on the environment, causing the collapse of ecosystems and biodiversity in some of the world’s move beloved destinations.

To raise awareness and call for actions from people all over the world, World Environment Day (WED) was established on 5th June by the United Nations since 1972 with the slogan “Only One Earth”. Each year there is a host city with a specific theme addressing environmental issues, pushing people to participate and stimulate positive behavior in order to promote a sustainable future. 

This year, WED will be hosted by Pakistan and calls for urgent action for ecosystem restoration. This years event will coincide with the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030, an international movement that aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems through the participation from governments, corporations and citizens across the globe. 

Tourism supports World Environmental Day
Source: United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030

The government of Pakistan also launched the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Programme in 2019, aiming to revive forests and wildlife resources. One of the key components of this mission is the planting trees for biodiversity conservation over the next 5 years. The plantation target of total 1 billion trees is set to be achieved by 30th June, 2021. As a result, the program provided 84,609 green jobs in Pakistan through the The Forest and Wildlife Departments during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Environmental sustainability via tourism
Source: Ministry of Climate Change Government of Pakistan

In fairness, restoration does not always mean that it’s possible to restore nature and ecosystems to their original state. The destruction from human beings on the natural ecosystem from urbanization, travel and global trade are the main drivers of frequent emergence of zoonotic diseases.Sometimes, it is nest to remove pressures from the environment so that nature can heal on its own. The economic benefits of restoration surpasses nine times the cost of investment, while it is at least three times more costly without any action

Amid the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that has put a halt to human activities and traveling, it is now essential for the tourism industry and destinations to rethink sustainability and take regenerative actions. Sustainability, in this case, might be defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability for future generations to meet their needs. 

Solimar has been helping destinations rethink their approach to management through The Institute for Sustainable Destinations, a recently launched online training and resource platform designed and developed by professionals within the industry that provides an integrated system for sustainable destination marketing and management. At ISD, Solimar focuses on economic enhancement, ecosystem regeneration and cultural enrichment perspectives, guiding leaders and DMOs through the destination development journey. As one of the fastest-growing industries around the globe, it is important for the tourism businesses to create strategies for crisis management and enhance the adaptability to all types of risks under the resilience-based framework. Beyond World Environment Day, it is the responsibility of each of us to be more mindful of our daily actions and decisions to minimize the impact on the ecosystem. After all – we only have one Earth.

The white-sandy beaches of Mexico during the cold weather months of November through March.

European cities in the Northern Hemisphere summer months of June, July and August. 

Patagonia in the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Ski resorts in their local winter (and more recently, in the summer as well).

The seasonality of travel leaves destinations around the world facing a dangerous dilemma. As flocks of visitors travel during the locale’s high-season, occupancy rates in hotels skyrocket to 100%, trailheads are left without a free parking space, and restaurant reservations are as hard to come by as tickets to a Rolling Stones reunion concert. Yet during the off-season, these same locales are often remain quiet and void of visitors, at times leaving a job-force without work. It is a slippery slope that plagues less-popular and emerging destinations at a severe disadvantage.

Solving seasonality as it relates to tourism may be one of the keys to the sustainable travel equation, especially in developing countries. A responsible visitorship that is equally distributed throughout the calendar year keeps local residents gainfully employed and prevents often overloved cities and landscapes – beaches, hiking trails, rivers, oceans, etc. – from falling into the dangerous reflective pattern of overuse and underuse.

One of the primary goals of Solimar’s work along The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is to utilize the Geotourism methodology to spread the literal and proverbial wealth all year long. Most of the Trail’s communities are summertime destinations that see the heavy majority of visitors between May and October, and the Geotourism platform allows stakeholders to tell stories that promote off-season attractions/events in hopes of welcoming guests during cold-weather months. The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Experience recently hosted an expert seminar featuring Emily Reed from the Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance. Click on the video below to watch an intriguing 30-minute crash course in the seasonality of travel. During this seminar, Emily explores the various ways to stretch visitorship throughout the year, the challenges of overtourism, and how the solution to seasonality might lie not with visitors, but instead the destination’s residents and stakeholders themselves.

 

“We rely confidently on Solimar's deep technical experience and professionalism as tourism consultants. You always are exceeding our expectations.”
Leila Calnan, Senior Manager, Tourism Services Cardno Emerging Markets

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