The travel and tourism industries have been particularly hard hit by Covid-19. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) estimates that international tourism fell by 70% across 2020 as a result of the pandemic, translating into a loss of $935 billion in export revenues.
Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, Professor in Marketing, Strategy and Innovation at BU, has shared his expertise around the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the travel and tourism industry and how it can recover.
As well as contributing to a white paper as one of 32 prominent global hospitality leaders, Professor Buhalis organised a conference on Reigniting Mediterranean and Leisure Tourism in the post-Covid era, with a host of international speakers.
He has spoken in a number of global industry webinars and seminars around the use of smart technologies to address the Covid crisis, including events organised by the Pacific Asia Tourism Association, UNWTO and ABTA.
Professor Buhalis has also undertaken a number of international media interviews with the likes of China Daily, BBC News, Le Monde and several Greek newspapers and radio programmes, sharing his thoughts on topics including the reopening of borders, airport testing and the impact of the pandemic on small businesses and the tourism and hospitality industries.
Writing for The Conversation about the twin impacts of Covid-19 and Brexit on travel for British citizens, he said: “One thing we’ve learned during the COVID era is how much we miss travelling.
“In the short term, if the virus is contained and restrictions relaxed, short and mid haul trips, often arranged at the last minute, will be the best option. Gradually, we will be able to travel again, create memorable experiences and reconnect with loved ones in wonderful places around the world.”
