The 3rd online forum organised by the Malta Tourism Society and the University of Malta’s , focused on the practicalities of renewing tourism as a sustainable activity.
Held on Friday 5 June and attended by a mixed panel of international and local academics, consultants, politicians, a hotel operator, an employee working at a Destination Management Company and a Cultural Heritage researcher, the discussion is part of a think tank intended to emphasise the importance of implementing a sustainable and responsible tourism sector rather than ‘speaking to the converted’.
A keynote presentation given by Prof. Nigel Morgan, Head of the Tourism & Hospitality School at the University of Surrey, highlighted the need for academics to inform the decisions taken by politicians and policy-makers. “If tourism does not work for communities, then, perhaps, this is not the right type of tourism,” he continued.
In fact, many politicians abroad are talking about a renewal for tourism, instead of a recovery – taking the COVID-19 era as an opportunity to manage the sector better in the post-COVID period.
Some are even talking about a fourth industrial revolution, leading to a world where AI, robotics, and the Internet of Things are combined to produce a much better future.
Prof. Morgan made some considerations for a post-COVID tourism strategy, such as the promotion of domestic-style tourism (evidenced by the recent efforts taken by Malta), the prioritisation of local and regional tourism, the enhancement of local supply chains, the development of sustainable transport networks, driving a value-based consumer market, decarbonising the environment, growing the local economy and developing community partnerships.
The focus on what the community wants is reminiscent of the integrated approach, suggested by in 2017. This involves a practical, ten-stage process to include the community in all planning at local level.
The next think tank will be held on Friday 12 June at 18:30. Those interested in participating can register via email.
