(By Alessandra Briganti)
If tourism is Europe's oil, the
pandemic has stopped it pumping.
Europe, which accounts for 51% of the world tourism market
(UNWTO, 2019), has suffered a collapse in demand that threatens
6.6 million of its 11 million jobs in the sector (JRC, 2020).
Yet the health crisis could be an opportunity to rethink the
traditional tourism model and make it more innovative, cultural
and environmentally sustainable.
This rethink is necessary as, by its nature, the tourism
industry is focused on economic growth and gives no or little
importance to the environment, society and culture, according to
a overview given a report by ESPON programme, which is
specialized in the analysis of EU regional policies.
The report was based on an examination of the impact of COVID on
tourism in the EU in order to outline the sector's development
trends, above all in relation to cultural heritage.
Citing a European Joint Research Centre (JRC) study, the report
highlights the dramatic consequences the pandemic risks having
in terms of employment, especially in countries where the
proportion of jobs generated by tourism is higher, where there
is greater use of seasonal workers and the number of
international visitors is higher.
Croatia, Cyprus, Malta, Greece, Slovenia, Spain and Austria are
the countries where the impact on jobs could be greatest,
followed by Italy, France, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands
and Sweden.
There is a climate of great uncertainty that is affecting the
future of the young generations, hitting "whole social spheres,
both private and public, of our lives and our well-being" the
researchers wrote.
"It is clear, however, that the unexpected, prolonged and still
unpredictable COVID-19 crisis will contribute in a major way to
directing the attention of citizens and political
decision-makers to sustainability, the environment and the
future," they said.
The researchers explained that an essential part of this
challenge regards cultural heritage, which is central to the
"the relaunch of the economy, including via the regeneration of
urban and suburban territories".
This is particularly true for Italy and for its "vast coastal,
tourism regions that look out onto the Mediterranean".
These areas are already affected by "soil erosion, natural
disasters, the impact of climate change and river floods" and
are "the areas most sensitive to extreme weather events" along
with "hot zones, such as the Po Valley and Venice".
The study concludes that, with regards to the challenges
stemming from the current pandemic, "European regions and cities
are called on to respond with innovative solutions", redefining
the concept of 'regeneration' and of 'governance'.
It is a way to get the oil pump working again without it
destroying us.
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