Through a Diversity Gaze: How Travel Risk Is Changing In the COVID-19 Era

The COVID pandemic has changed Travel & Tourism beyond all recognition in a few short months.

Many household travel names have ceased to trade; others have significantly downsized; moved from offering physical to digital experiences or shifted focus from targeting international to domestic markets. Destinations that were once overwhelmed are now devoid of visitors and resident communities, once heralded as the hosts who are so central to meaningful tourism experiences, are distrustful of the outsiders in their midst.

These changes have stimulated a rallying cry not only that we build back, but that we build back better. But what does better mean for the people who work in or are affected by tourism? Does better mean simply that we are more prepared for the next pandemic? Or does it mean that we take a broader look at our industry and listen to the many voices that are seeking to create a fairer society and a kinder form of tourism.

These voices include women and the #metoo campaign; the Black Lives Matter movement, communities (such as indigenous peoples) whose lives have come under pressure from tourism; last but not least industry staff, whose mental health has been impacted by insecure work conditions.

Comprised of specialists in risk and security, this panel will ask whether the industry is listening to and engaging with these voices and how it should adapt, not only to protect itself against the next pandemic but rather to ensure stakeholders on which its recovery depends are included in its longer term planning.

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