Viewpoint 2 April 2020

COVID-19: A stress test for sustainable development in hospitality?

Sustainability in Hospitality

— 22 experts shared their view

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COVID-19: A stress test for sustainable development in hospitality? — photo: depositphotos.com

This viewpoint was created by

Willy Legrand, Professor of Hospitality Management at the IUBH International University

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Peter Varga
Assistant Professor at Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL)

In conjunction with the colossal economic impacts the pandemic will generate, there may also be socio-cultural alterations of how people perceive traveling. Among many questions that will be asked in the future, mine are more about perceptions; will 'cultural labeling' impact our perceptions of culturally different fellow visitors? Will a sort of social distancing become a universal norm to respect while visiting formerly crowded destinations, which will enhance strict carrying capacity measurements? Will tourism and tourists become more controlled and restricted? Although the global tourism industry will do its best to inspire people to return to former travel dynamics swiftly, after the pandemic disappears, I believe it will take a long time to stabilize a, hopefully, more responsible way of traveling.

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COVID-19: A stress test for sustainable development in hospitality?

Sustainability in Hospitality

— 22 experts shared their view

Willy Legrand

Professor of Hospitality Management at the IUBH International University

Franziska Altenrath

Co-Founder at TUTAKA