Current Trends in Tourism under COVID-19 and Future Implications

Abstract

In the literature, as well as in the media and the scientific community, the impact of the pandemic on tourism has been the most commonly discussed topic over the last two years. Nevertheless, with the development of the situation, our knowledge is being supplemented day by day. In particular, this Special Issue (24 papers) aspires to expand the discussion and scientific debate on a range of viewpoints, trends, approaches, cases, impacts, challenges, models, and/or frameworks relating to tourism in the time of COVID-19, as well as the possibility of implementing the principles of sustainable tourism development in the post-pandemic period.At the time of the issue, the world has been freed from the pandemic (although new negative political and economic phenomena have arisen), and tourism is approaching sizes close to those of 2019. Problems that constituted a significant barrier to the construction of sustainable tourism are even beginning to be noted. From the point of view of the 2023 season, many destinations in the pandemic situation of "undertourism" are re-entering the familiar phenomenon of overtourism.There is no doubt that many of these cities, regions, and even countries are looking for a tool for "new tourism", because it is not just about restarting tourism. The results of research conducted during the pandemic and the conclusions and implications for the further development of tourism drawn on this basis are valuable case studies from various regions, countries, and continents.They allow for a scientific discussion, from a number of points of view, not only on the effects of the pandemic on tourism but also on the expected trends, effects, challenges, or models of solutions for the implementation of the principles of sustainable development of tourism in the post-pandemic period. One gets the impression that the pandemic has accelerated both the scientific and pragmatic discussion, seeking answers to questions about post-pandemic changes in tourism demand as well as legal, organizational, or marketing solutions for the commercialization of tourist services and destination management. There is a topic of building healthy relations between various groups of tourism stakeholders, including entrepreneurs and tourists, or priorities in the area of marketing and sales undertaken by entrepreneurs and the Destination Management Organization. An answer was also sought to the question of the impact of the pandemic on the tourism economy. The literature review analysis of smart tourism in the context of sustainable development is also valuable for researchers.The articles published online are already very popular. They have been viewed by several thousand researchers and cited 55 times by other authors (as of August 2023).