The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cultural Tourism
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cultural Tourism

Author(s): Mariana Bălan
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Economy
Published by: Academia Română, Filiala Iași Institutul de Cercetări Economice și Sociale „Gheorghe Zane”
Keywords: Tourism; Cultural tourism; COVID-19 Impact
Summary/Abstract: During recent decades, tourism has become one of the most dynamic and fastest growing economic sectors in the world. Tourism is the economic sector that contributes to job creation both directly and indirectly, especially for women and young people. Thus, in 2019, the number of jobs in tourism accounted for 10.3% of total jobs worldwide, and the contribution of tourism to global GDP was 8%. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic is an important and evolving challenge for the tourism sector. Measures taken by countries around the world to counter the pandemic have severely affected the tourism industry, and recent developments in this health and economic crisis show that the likelihood of this sector returning to normal in the near future is very low. Based on the latest developments in quarantine measures, travel bans, border closures and previous crisis patterns, various international tourism bodies anticipate significant reductions in jobs and incomes in this economic sector. The widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures to combat it significantly affect all aspects of our lives and living environment, including tourism and cultural heritage. The paper presents a brief assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism in general and especially cultural tourism, worldwide, at European and at national levels.

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