The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector: new challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated the travel and tourism industry and is still challenging the world. Global travel restrictions have brought consequences also for the global economy. In this context, the COVID-19 emergency has further pushed existing tourism systems to their limits but has also highlighted new potentials for resilience. In the post-COVID-19 world, all countries have adopted strategies to contain the effects. Early evidence of the impacts of the pandemic and its responses on air travel, cruises, and accommodations indicate that it has been devastating. The article discusses how the pandemic has changed society’s needs and in particular the impact on tourism. After giving a brief overview on Italy, it discusses the new challenges to improve and develop a new era of the tourism. The article contributes to the post-COVID tourism debate. This is a new era for tourism. Now tourism system can play a critical role in socioeconomic recovery by empowering local entrepreneurship.