Tourism City and the COVID-19 Pandemic: First Experiences in the Light of the Literature Review

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present previous experiences of tourism cities in reducing the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the local tourism economy. The article is based on literature review, which starting point was a World Tourism Cities Federation report on urban tourism during COVID-19 pandemic. The authors argue and discuss the proposed instruments of actions and tools supporting the tourism sector at the urban level, both in the phase of fi rst responses to the outbreak, and in next stage of the pandemic, which is aimed at rebuilding and revitalizing tourism in the city.

Competitiveness of cities in the post-pandemic time: The perspectives of residents and tourists

“…At that time, the marketing activities of cities assumed shortterm forms, departing from the medium and long-term actions typical for this area (Wen, Kozak and Yang, 2021). Nevertheless, some cities took extraordinary measures to increase the internal resilience of the economic system to the market crisis caused by mass infections and the prospect of their growth (Kowalczyk-Anioł and Pawlusiński, 2021). The behavior of society in the context of travel and movement has also changed, which had an impact on changes in preferences, including that of a tourist destination (Sztuk, 2021).…”

“…The first reactions from national governments and city authorities were manifested in the closure and order to suspend the operation of the so-called public spaces (service places, catering establishments). In this phase, it was essential for city authorities to implement top-down guidelines imposing restrictions on places used for public purposes (Kowalczyk-Anioł and Pawlusiński, 2021).…”

Tourism in the Times of The COVID-19 Pandemic in Scientific Research

“…The diagram below shows the impact of COVID-19 on individual elements of the functioning of the economy and society (Figure 1). Among the specific features of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we should particularly emphasise, its complex and heterogeneous nature, extremely difficult to predict course (cyclicality of pandemic waves, lack of vision of the end of the crisis despite the actions taken) and global scope should be emphasized [Kowalczyk-Anioł, Pawlusiński, 2021]. Tourism is not an independent branch of the national economy, e.g.…”

“…The situation of many tourist centers, and in particular cities operating mainly on the basis of tourism, due to the emerging mutations of the virus, was undoubtedly problematic, changeable and difficult to predict. The revival of the tourism sector will be and is significantly slowed down and will be accompanied by constant fears on the part of travellers about possible health risks [Kowalczyk-Anioł, Pawlusiński, 2021].…”

Wpływ pandemii COVID-19 na funkcjonowanie sektora organizacji i obsługi ruchu turystycznego w nadmorskiej strefie turystycznej Pobrzeża Bałtyku

“…Skutkiem był również wzrost bezrobocia, który był konsekwencją masowych zwolnień w obiektach hotelarskich i pozostałych przedsiębiorstwach sektora usług turystycznych (Stojczew 2021). Negatywne skutki pandemii dotknęły zarówno sferę popytową, jak i podażową turystyki (Walas, Kruczek 2020, Kowalczyk-Anioł, Pawlusiński 2021, Zajadacz 2021. Problemem z punktu widzenia przedsiębiorców turystycznych była też niepewność w dalszym rozwoju epidemii (trudne do przewidzenia w czasie i skali skutków fale pandemii oraz brak wizji końca kryzysu; Collins-Kreiner, Ram 2020, Sigala 2020, Sztuk 2021.…”