Sustainable Tourism in the Context of Environmental Economics

Abstract

Increasing international focus on sustainable development have highlighted the need for a new paradigm of sustainable development in the tourism industry. Tourism, more than any other activity, depends on the quality of natural and social resources. The rapid spread of Covid-19 and its already palpable impact on the travel and tourism industry has highlighted the increasing complexity of the interconnections in the world. Sustainable tourism takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors and the industry. The subject of this paper was the sustainable development of tourism in the context of environmental economics. The main goal of this research was to examine the interplay between tourism and the environment within the context of the pandemic. The methodological basis was the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI), with a particular focus on environmental sustainability. The paper included an impact assessment of Covid-19 on sustainable tourism and forward-looking scenarios for 2021-2024. One of the key considerations was a SWOT analysis of the tourism industry within the pandemic conditions. Global recovery scenarios were discussed, as was the economic impact of Covid-19 on tourism in the European Union. Finally, this research put forward policy recommendations for governments to avert the worst effects and facilitate recovery in this field. Keywords: tourism economics, environmental sustainability, Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI), European Union, Covid-19, crisis management