Last Friday, 2 October 2020 I hosted a session during the UfM Webinar on COVID-19 and the Tourism Sector: “Inclusive response to vulnerable groups in the Euro-Mediterranean Region”
Here are my thought
The discussion brought together stakeholders from the public sector national and international tourism organizations, as well as stakeholders from the private sector, including representatives from the hospitality and leisure industry.
“The pandemic crisis has taken its toll on our society, our lives and economy. On a global level, many countries decided to close their borders, and international and national travel institutions decided to put people first by imposing travel restrictions due to health measures. Tourism, being one of the fastest growing economic sectors has been the most affected one, with a current decline of 60% which could potentially increase to 80%, if recovery is delayed until December 2020 (OECD). The worst affected countries during the COVID-19 crisis are those particularly positioned on both shores of the Mediterranean Sea, accounting for 1/3 of the income of international tourism.”
Vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, those with underlying and chronic health issues, women in risk of social exclusion, emarginated, people with different needs, will hesitate to travel the way we used to.
This may be a time for reflecting, redefining, and redeveloping tourism as a sustainable quality activity rather than the quantitative industry incorporating inclusive policy in rebuilding plans and budgets.
In the recovery processes, we have to focus also on the vulnerable groups so we can have an inclusive response to the pandemic. This includes women, the elderly, and citizens with disabilities. Thus, as we recover from the current downturn and global health crises, we have to be able to work for a qualitative tourism experience rather than a quantitative one. If we want to talk in tourism about social justice, we must include vulnerable groups and equality for accessible tourism. Public entities and policymakers need to understand that tourism is a key part of our economy and society's development. Thus, policymakers now have an opportunity to include in the recovery plans, tourism and policies, and investment to make tourism more accessible and inclusive.
We are all customers, we are all people, we are all the same. Furthermore, the spending power of this market (people with different needs) needs to be considered. It is key that stakeholders clear out preconceptions and invest in accessible and inclusive tourism. It is not that costly, and it is highly beneficial for the countries and touristic destinations.
To take real action, we need an inclusive environment, the right attitudes (above all education, training staff), and policymakers adding the right inputs and listening to people with different needs. The response has to consider a holistic approach, piggyback current initiatives as an opportunity to have tourism for all, make stakeholders aware of this opportunity, create a universal approach with better products and services.
From the fact that using words such as vulnerable groups creates an unwanted association - with marginalized groups, intrinsic vulnerability. There are just people- remove special needs/ special assistance terms used are old, out of touch, eradicate labels. Focus on an inclusive language such as people with different needs - let's talk about people. - To policy change, improved law frameworks, and international standards homogenization. Travel companies could offer training for staff to focus on a customer service that is inclusive, a customer with different needs - service for all approaches. Automatic check-in, bar, and restaurants accessibility, accessible contactless technology etc.
The intention is to have a global value chain holistic approach and make from the reopening process accessible tourism from policymaking, sop’s, and procedures (website, building, etc.) to current issues an opportunity to rethink, redefine processes, include protocols on safety measures. The key is to let people be independent and innovate by reflecting on our current practices and developing those that will help us to include vulnerable groups as a pivotal part of society to build back together and stronger.
As a member of the second session, my contribution made emphasis on two main words as the north star, empty, and significance. We have to bet on collaborations as we come out of this pandemic to count on vulnerable groups to rebuild back better and have more resilient businesses.
The volunteer work is great, but we can not rely on volunteer actions for systemic change and meaningful advancement. We need all stakeholders together. Beyond WTTC recommendations, we also have to consider south Mediterranean countries' difficulties and challenges. There are regions where there are issues such as one hospital bed for a hundred thousand citizens, and it makes it hard to consider other priorities, being health issues a threat for local citizens. Also, all the population affected with lost jobs directly and indirectly employed by tourism is massively affecting the population. As my input on initiatives done during the pandemic, from the Women in Hospitality and Travel Tech. Using the current situation for:
WHTT - Upskilling Program for women
Developing a 5000+ open community / 2000 members community
#Iamremarkable training workshops (self-confidence, self-promotion at the workplace)
Open-content access (Masterclass, revenue hacks, weekly, diversity & inclusion talks)
Mentorship
Education in tech skills for women
Education in sustainability for hospitality professionals
Support to connect startups and create synergies (improve community wellbeing)
Open education: skills for furloughed /unemployed hospitality professionals due to pandemic
Improve industry professionals visibility and recognition
ESHC IMPACT - Sustainability (SDG’s)
Open online education on sustainability for hospitality professionals & certification
Work to support initiatives such as tourism reset / future of tourism
Create awareness through social media about social & environmental issues in the hospitality
Useful resources
UNWTO Best practices
Purple Cow Marketing from community to community
Barcelona Forum District
All inclusive - inclusivity Program- Ilunion Hotels
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