We must all answer the UN’s call to rebuild global tourism

Earlier this year I wrote that 2020 has given us a blank slate opportunity – to redefine resilience and, as designers, consider the economic, social and environmental impacts of our work. This month, the United Nations has galvanized the global community to celebrate the unique role that tourism plays in providing opportunities outside of big cities and preserving cultural and natural heritage all around the world. As business leaders, and designers, we must all answer the UN’s call.

The coronavirus pandemic has allowed us to re-think design, re-assess our priorities, and re-evaluate the role that tourism and the hospitality sector can play in the world. This year’s United Nations’ World Tourism Day, therefore, comes at a potential turning point for the industry. The question being asked is how to recover and rebuild tourism in a safer, more equitable, more climate-friendly way than before the current crisis.

The coronavirus pandemic has allowed us to re-think design, re-assess our priorities, and re-evaluate the role that tourism and the hospitality sector can play in the world.

For the tourism industry, the issues of over-tourism and environmental impact are in the spotlight, now more than ever. The flight-shaming movement was gathering steam pre-Covid and the sector must address these challenges, while embracing and ensuring the many positive impacts that tourism can bring. Indeed, for many in rural communities, tourism can deliver a lifeline, especially in developing economies, bringing investment, education and employment opportunities. Additionally, with technological advancements in biofuel, by 2025 we will very likely have jet aircraft with zero carbon emissions. Further enabling mass air travel without damage to the environment.

Technology continues to play an ever-important and accelerated role in our lives and our economic recovery. Through 2020, it has kept us all connected socially. In the future, it will help us travel smarter and safer. And technology will enable us to better manage our environmental resources and pursue vital renewable energy goals.

Travellers themselves are increasingly aware of the impact of tourism, as evidenced by the rise of community-based vacations, responsible travel and eco-tourism in all its forms. We are in the midst of a consumer-led movement towards a holistically responsible genre of travel and hospitality, and this has major implications for us as a design practice.

Now more than ever, the tourism industry must be both resilient and sustainable: resilient to unforeseen circumstances, such as the coronavirus pandemic, and sustainable in the long-term, both environmentally and economically. This requires the industry as a whole to push even harder towards large-scale change.

Now more than ever, the tourism industry must be both resilient and sustainable.

New design and development paradigms must emerge. For example, the concept of the ‘circular economy’ encourages us to re-think our processes, through reducing waste, reusing materials and repurposing old buildings. Technology, eco-innovations and social programmes have all improved environmental and social impacts but, to fully implement change, the whole process – from start to finish – must be reconsidered.

Global tourism will undoubtedly recover. As humans, we seek connectivity and travel transforms us. Earlier this month, the UNWTO reported that 53% of destinations have eased travel restrictions. This is incredibly promising and highlights the vast power of tourism to the world economy. I believe we will come out of this crisis better, smarter and more connected than ever.

In this, our 75^th anniversary year, our entire team at WATG is focused on how our own culture and identity will continue to lead us forward. To make a positive and lasting impact on the world through exceptional, responsible and resilient destination design.