Tourism and Pandemics
If there is one thing we will have to remember from the catastrophic, business, passage of the pandemic, it will be the cessation of all tourist activities that cost financially but also in terms of operation to the professionals, but also the new trends that were created from things.
Because on the one hand many tourism companies were forced to suffer losses, instability or even closure due to the complete cessation of tourism in 2020 and the reduced activity in 2021.
Travelers around the world, on the other hand, have long been excluded from all travel due to restrictive measures, often even in their own country: they were not even allowed to travel from city to city for long periods of time.
Ο World Tourism Organization So, he realized the new trend created by the needs and preferences of travelers, as a result of this situation, and he came to his conclusion: The new trend concerns travel in the countryside, activities in nature - to a greater extent than in the past - agritourism, and fewer visits to major urban centers.
The reduced preference in the big urban centers, in the big cities, that is, has its meaning, since there is a large number of people, and this does not go hand in hand with the personal security and protection measures that we all now want to keep in view of the pandemic.
On the other hand, what was missing from most people who were forced to go through quarantine in their homes was contact with nature - with the result that the new trend is putting more emphasis on activity tourism.
Agritourism on the other hand, especially in Greece, is a trend that has been discussed in the corridors in recent years, but never officially. Unfortunately, it is a form of tourism that has a very large current everywhere, but in Greece it has not yet been recognized, clarified and consolidated.
Greek tourism has not yet clearly defined the concept of "agritourism", and for this reason, this form of tourism remains unclear and without institutional recognition.
It is a very interesting discussion about the Greek tourist reality, which could, due to the nature, climate and potential of the country, gain much from such an investment. Let's hope that the "next day in tourism" will bring this need to the fore.
In any case, this is the reality internationally, and should be taken seriously by tour operators, who should design their tourism packages so that in addition to cultural tourism, or leisure tourism, add new experiences for travelers of the world. Nature and its protection can only be a very serious chapter for tourism.
