亚开行-新冠疫情后的可持续旅游业：对亚洲及太平洋地区的见解和建议（英）-2021.12-94页_1000kb

Summary of Sustainable Tourism After COVID-19: Insights and Recommendations for Asia and the Pacific

Core Content

This report, published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in December 2021, examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector in Asia and the Pacific, and explores pathways for sustainable recovery. It highlights the need for a transformative approach to tourism that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing resilience, inclusivity, and environmental protection.

Main Points

Tourism and Sustainable Development

• Tourism is a key driver of socioeconomic growth, employing about 150 million people in the region.
• It can contribute to sustainable development by supporting communities, reviving the environment, and promoting cultural preservation.
• However, without robust governance and planning, tourism can harm communities and ecosystems.

Impact of the Pandemic

• The pandemic caused an unprecedented drop in international travel, with a 74% reduction globally and an 84% decline in Asia.
• The tourism sector faced significant economic impacts, including:
  • Accommodation: Occupancy rates remained low, with revenue per room dropping by 59% in Asia (excluding China) and 47% in Australia and Oceania.
  • Airports and airlines: Revenue losses reached $111.8 billion and $371 billion respectively.
  • Arts and culture: Over 85,000 museums and World Heritage sites were closed.
  • Jobs: 15.3 million tourism workers in 14 countries were at risk of job loss, with even more in un-surveyed areas.

Policy Responses

• Governments implemented various measures, including:
  • Business support: Loans, nationalization of key firms, and liquidity support.
  • Sectoral schemes: Training, capacity building, and workforce support.
  • Untargeted support: Job-retention schemes and general financial assistance.
• These responses were designed for different time horizons: short-term survival, adaptation to the new normal, and long-term resilience-building.

Expert Insights

• Impact on Women: Women are disproportionately affected by tourism downturns, especially in casual and front-line roles. The report recommends collecting gender-disaggregated data, mainstreaming gender in recovery plans, and upskilling women in the sector.
• Impact on the Pacific: Tourism-dependent communities in the Pacific faced severe financial setbacks. However, there is a growing emphasis on returning to traditional practices, rebuilding the sector through off-season and domestic tourism, and leveraging tourism for SDG alignment.
• Thailand’s Transformation: Thailand is shifting from a focus on budget tourism to sustainable, high-value tourism. This includes promoting domestic travel, rebranding the sector, and aligning it with national development goals.

Future Pathways and Opportunities

• The report outlines three possible future trajectories for tourism:
  1. Discipline—The Age of Technology: Increased use of technology for visitor management and emissions reduction.
  2. Compete and Retreat—The End of Globalization: A rise in nationalism and regionalism, with tourism becoming more domestic and self-reliant.
  3. Transform—A Shift in Mindset: A focus on sustainable recovery, where tourism is seen as a means to support community and environmental well-being.

Key Recommendations

• Value-Driven Tourism: Align tourism with the SDGs through inclusive and equitable practices.
• Decarbonizing Tourism: Encourage sustainable practices and reduce emissions through green policies and technology.
• Tourism-Led Regeneration: Use tourism to rebuild and revitalize communities and natural environments.
• Diversification: Promote domestic tourism and reduce reliance on international markets.
• Improving Tourism Governance: Establish governance structures that involve host communities and promote collaboration.
• Aligning Tourism Finance with Sustainability: Explore new revenue sources like green bonds and local taxes, and encourage private investment in sustainable projects.

Conclusion

The pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of the tourism sector, but it has also created an opportunity for a more sustainable and resilient future. The report calls for a shift from "building back better" to "building forward better," emphasizing the need for long-term, inclusive, and environmentally conscious policies and practices. ADB is positioned to support this transformation through financial and technical assistance, encouraging its member countries to embrace sustainable tourism as a catalyst for development.

Key Information

• Region: Asia and the Pacific.
• Focus: Sustainable tourism recovery post-COVID-19.
• Target Audience: Policymakers and industry stakeholders in ADB member countries.
• Key Themes: Resilience, inclusivity, environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and regional cooperation.
• Published by: Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO.