Article

Supporting Tourism in Times of Crisis: Continuity is Key!


By Sebastian D. Plötzgen

The tourism industry plays a crucial role in economic development, particularly in countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It generates foreign exchange, creates jobs, and promotes cultural exchange. However, when conflicts or crises arise, international travellers are often the first to disappear, causing the tourism sector to collapse. In such cases, crises and conflicts have a doubly negative impact—social and individual disasters are compounded by economic collapse. Internationally supported tourism projects are often suspended or put on hold. Yet, in times of crisis, development cooperation projects can be instrumental in ensuring that the tourism sector endures, remains resilient, and plays a significant role in recovery and peacebuilding once the crisis subsides.

Supporting Tourism Projects Without Tourists: It’s not Futile!

During crises, development cooperation in tourism often halts, driven by two main assumptions:

  1. Tourism projects are pointless without travellers.
  2. Supporting a "leisure sector" during a crisis seems inappropriate, as funds could be better allocated to humanitarian aid or other sectors.

These assumptions overlook the fact that the tourism infrastructure and workforce remain in place, even when tourists are absent. Hotels, restaurants, transport companies, and attractions don’t disappear—they also remain part of the local economy and value chain. Halting projects during crises neglects the many workers who rely on tourism for their livelihoods.

Rather than suspending projects, development cooperation should take the opposite approach. In times of crisis, targeted support for the tourism sector is essential to ensure rapid recovery once stability returns.

Key measures to implement during a crisis, even without travellers:

  1. Cash-for-training programs aim to keep tourism employees engaged, retain them within the sector, and ensure their livelihoods while they enhance skills in areas such as foreign languages or digital marketing.
  2. Digital tourism formats like 360° videos and virtual tours help preserve cultural heritage and keep destinations in the minds of travellers, even when physical visits aren't possible. If circumstances allow and technology is available, live-streamed reports from local guides can effectively maintain international connections. Tourism thrives on exchange, interaction, and communication, which are often key motivations for working in the sector. When these daily interactions suddenly stop, it impacts not only the economy but also the well-being of local communities. Digital formats can bridge this gap, offering at least moral support during difficult times.
  3. In periods of inactive tourism, it's possible to document high-traffic cultural landmarks. When the physical preservation of cultural heritage is at risk, such projects may be the last chance to digitally preserve these sites. Quick implementation is essential due to potentially short timeframes. It’s important that the documentation process is led by the local population, capturing their stories and memories. If the situation is sufficiently stable, such a locally driven process can also spark discussions about how history, culture, and traditions can be presented in the future.
  4. Assistance in developing new regional markets can help compensate for the absence of international visitors by increasing tourism from neighboring countries or domestic travel. These adjustments can help sustain some level of tourism revenue during crises. Development cooperation can provide the technical expertise and guidance needed to make these transitions successful, while keeping an eye on traditional international markets for future recovery.

Tourism: A Catalyst for Economic Development and Peacebuilding

The potential of tourism to drive economic development and promote social cohesion makes it a powerful tool for reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts.

Following a crisis, whether man-made or natural, the tourism sector is often one of the first to recover. It generates employment, attracts foreign investment, and stimulates infrastructure (re)development. Compared to other economic sectors, tourism holds several key advantages:

  1. It draws from a vast global market. Global mobility allows travellers from nearly every country to visit others, often with minimal long-term planning.
  2. Destinations that were inaccessible due to a crisis become even more attractive once travel resumes, often resulting in a rapid and significant increase in visitor numbers.
  3. Unlike many other industries, tourism—especially in its early stages—requires only basic infrastructure and core services such as transportation and healthcare, allowing for a quicker restart.

Tourism projects with strong local participation can play a unique role in bringing together previously opposing groups. Well-designed tourism initiatives can offer a platform for rediscovering and reinterpreting local or national cultural heritage, shifting perspectives, and presenting new narratives.

Tourism as a Pillar for Peaceful Development

The tourism industry can serve as a vital economic driver, reinforcing social cohesion and significantly contributing to peacebuilding, especially in post-crisis and fragile situations. Effective management, a strong focus on sustainability, and a careful consideration of social impacts—particularly in contexts with ongoing societal tensions—are essential to this process.

Policymakers should remain committed to supporting the tourism sector, even in times of crisis. By leveraging existing tools and resources, they can help countries and communities pave the way for faster recovery.

International travel has a unique ability to bring people together and stimulate economies. Recognizing and utilizing its potential during crises is crucial, even when peace and reconciliation may seem distant.

 

Author: Sebastian D. Plötzgen is a tourism expert and freelance consultant. He has spent nearly a decade living and working in crisis-affected destinations in the Middle East, focusing on using tourism as a tool for economic development and building resilient communities. As a graduate theologian, he also advises religious communities on utilizing their sites for cultural and religious tourism.