<
https://theconversation.com/resistance-to-mega-tourism-is-rising-in-the-south-pacific-but-will-governments-put-words-into-action-201071>
"With COVID-19 travel restrictions largely a thing of the past for Australian
and New Zealand tourists, Pacific destinations are enjoying the return of
visitors – albeit at a slower pace than in other parts of the world.
Tourism in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands was hit hard by the
pandemic, but patience and resilience are starting to pay off. Foreign dollars
are once again circulating in those small economies. Recently, Kiribati
welcomed its first international cruise ship since 2020.
But this isn’t a simple case of returning to normal. The past three years have
allowed time for reflection, leading to a rising awareness of possible
alternatives to pre-pandemic tourism models.
From senior levels within governments to grassroots tourism operators and
citizens, there has been serious discussion about the resumption of business
as usual, including several regional symposiums hosted by the South Pacific
Tourism Organisation.
Issues of sovereignty and future resilience have been very much to the fore –
quite untypical in a global tourism industry largely focused on boosting
numbers as soon as possible. Questions remain, however, about the gap between
rhetoric and reality."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
