Tourism and Covid-19 – Opportunities and challenges for rural communities

COVID-19 has dealt a significant blow to Aotearoa New Zealand’s tourism industry. This unprecedented global event has highlighted the vulnerability of the tourism industry, and ongoing uncertainty about future international travel restrictions has led to a call for a ‘reimagined tourism’ system that will lead to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Our Rural programme researchers Dr Caroline Orchiston and Dr Joanna Fountain outline how COVID-19, and debates about the future shape of tourism, brings opportunities as well as challenges for rural communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Informed by ongoing programmes of tourism research, they ask: How can our understanding of hazards be applied to this global pandemic, and to what extent do the characteristics of rural communities provide unique opportunities to adapt to unfolding tourism futures?