Among tourism academics and thinkers today — the outspoken ones at least — Jim Butcher is one of the few who would challenge the notion that post-pandemic tourism must — for the sake of the planet — be much diminished from what it was. And he does just that in this “Good Tourism” Insight.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, much has been said and written about what the future holds for tourism. There are naturally discussions about adapting to social distancing, and measures to mitigate the disastrous situation facing the sector. And there are also debates about how the pause in tourism, and in the economy generally, open up the possibility to reconsider and reform tourism.
Thinking about reform is never a bad idea. However, it is not altogether clear why now, the middle of an economic disaster, is the best time to do this. Maybe a boom and the prosperity it brings creates better conditions for reform, as well as the resources to fund new ways of working.
Neither is it clear why the focus of many reformers — degrowth — is a good idea. Degrowth is the philosophical alternative that green campaigners and ‘critical tourism studies’ academics cohere around. They have pointed out ...
For the full "GT" Insight, visit https://goodtourismblog.com/2020/07/why-tourism-degrowth-just-wont-do-after-covid-19/