Tourism in Transition: The post COVID-19 Aftermath in the Western Balkans

Amidst the numerous effects of COVID 19, the impact on some of the economic sectors, such as tourism has been overwhelming. This has raised questions on the future of this sector, and highlighted the need for a more resilient approach to planning and development. Through our second paper of the Co-PLAN Resilience Series, ’Tourism in Transition, the post COVID-19 Aftermath in the Western Balkans’ we try to make a case for a transition of post COVID-19 Western Balkan (WB) tourism, contrary to ‘back to tourism business as it was’ recovery thinking. The COVID-19 crisis is unique; unlike other disasters it is global and not local or regional, and it leads to a global economic recession and increased social inequalities. WB tourism is severely hit by the COVID-19 crisis and the pace of tourism recovery is a question mark. Current uncertainties for WB tourism are discussed, amongst others future tourism behaviour. In view of international developments, like the EU economic recovery strategy based on the Green Deal, it is suggested that the present COVID-19 crisis must be used for a transition in tourism, if WB tourism wants to remain relevant for EU tourists in the future. A transition entails building up tourism resilience, which is an obvious reaction, developing policies and practices for sustainable tourism and building up WB as an integrated destination. You can access the paper here: Tourism in Transition – the post COVID-19 Aftermath in the Western Balkans