COVID-19 and the future of tourism in Asia and the Pacific

This report explores how different tourism market segments may have been impacted by the pandemic, and what this means for policy makers seeking to move tourism onto a more sustainable development pathway. Tourism in Asia and the Pacific has been transformed over the last 2 decades by the impacts of globalization, digitalization, rising disposable incomes, and shifting consumer preferences. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated some trends, such as digitalization, and is likely to have permanently altered what consumers are looking for. New opportunities are emerging, such as putting tourism on a more sustainable trajectory, enhancing digitalization, and boosting community engagement and inclusion. The report suggests how governments can foster sustainable recovery in the sector considering tourism’s environmental, social, and economic impacts.