By: Omysa Rasool

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the global tourism landscape, presenting both challenges and opportunities for governments, businesses, and travelers. Once a thriving industry, tourism came to a near halt in 2020, marking one of the darkest periods in its history. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s annual Economic Impact Report, the sector suffered a staggering loss of nearly $4.9 trillion in GDP—a 50.4% decline—and saw the elimination of 62 million jobs worldwide, an 18.6% drop. To put this into perspective, Germany’s GDP in 2021 was approximately $4.22 trillion, underscoring the severity of the pandemic’s impact on tourism.

Despite the devastating blow, the industry has begun to rebound. However, this recovery is not merely a return to pre-pandemic norms. Instead, new trends have emerged, driven by changing consumer preferences and global health priorities. As Tony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, observed, “The way we live and work has changed because of the pandemic, and the way we travel has changed as well.”

Among the most prominent developments is the rise of sustainable and experiential tourism, both of which have accelerated in popularity post-pandemic.

Sustainable Tourism

Defined by the United Nations Environment Program and the United Nations World Tourism........

© Kashmir Images