The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of international and domestic tourism and sharply focused attention on the importance of tourist health, safety and wellbeing like never before. This book offers a unique perspective on the challenges facing the world's largest service industry to protect and care for customers in a rapidly evolving environment where borders have closed, social distancing rules apply and personal hygiene has become a key focus in everyday life. Yet tourism is a very resilient industry and history shows there is always an immediate surge toward recovery after a crisis has passed. Humans want to travel and see the world. While we appreciate that the pandemic is far from over, already there are reports of pent-up demand for travel as restrictions ease at some destinations and borders begin to open. As we move hopefully toward the recovery phase and people begin to move around for business and pleasure, this book presents the reader with key information and insights in both traditional and emerging areas of tourist health, safety and wellbeing, recognising that the world is now shaped by this pandemic, bringing change, potentially enduring benefits and lasting legacies.

This study of the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the aviation industry in Central Asia Regional Cooperation (CAREC) countries finds opportunities for reform and restructuring to facilitate fast recovery. COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on global aviation as nearly all air travel came to a halt in late March and April 2020. In Central Asia, virtually all domestic and international air travel were suspended in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19. This crisis provides an opportunity to reset the aviation industry in CAREC countries through reforms, new strategies, and restructurings. The study takes into consideration the gravity of the situation in the region and offers some recommendations for dealing with and beyond the crisis.

This joint publication explores how big data and digitalization can support sustainable tourism development and help revitalize and reshape the sector as it emerges from the pandemic. The report, co-published with the World Tourism Organization, examines trends, challenges and opportunities in the use of big data in tourism. It highlights the need for investment in big data systems, partnerships with private and public sector big data providers, the adoption of proven measurement systems for sustainable tourism, and regional policy cooperation. Case studies from Asia and the Pacific illustrate ways of tapping big data in tourism development.