The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic represented a significant break with previous patterns of cultural consumption, effectively halting the growth of “mass cultural tourism” driven by cheap flights and collaborative economy accommodation. Surveys conducted by the ATLAS Cultural Tourism Group in Portugal were used to develop a detailed picture of cultural tourism consumption during the pandemic. In 2020 and early 2021 surveys were conducted at different locations in the country, generating over 500 responses. The research shows that COVID-19 had significant impacts on the profile and activities of cultural tourists in Portugal, with much more domestic tourism at most sites, and fewer visitors staying away from home. Levels of satisfaction and intention to return remained high, as did perceived authenticity. There was a significant drop in touring holidays, with visitors more likely to stay in a single location. Those tourists visiting cultural attractions during the pandemic had a positive experience, despite the challenging conditions. Levels of satisfaction increased compared with previous surveys in Portugal in 2004, but there were also fluctuations in levels of satisfaction during the pandemic period, correlated with levels of COVID-19 infections. Some indications of emerging alternative forms of cultural tourism include an increased proclivity for rural locations and inland areas, away from destinations usually associated with mass (cultural) tourism. The article concludes by considering a number of implications for the development of cultural tourism in Portugal and other destinations in the postpandemic era.
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How to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation? For years the carbon-intensive travel industry has been struggling with this question. Research has addressed the relation between climate change and tourism (e.g., Gössling et al 2015; Becken, 2013; Gössling, 2010; Gössling et al 2010; Bows et al, 2009). Their work produced models and measurement methods, and recommended mitigation policies and actions (Scott, 2011; Dwyer et al, 2010; Gössling et al 2010; McKercher, 2010). Major industry players have since adopted carbon reduction measures in their CSR policies (Thomas Cook group, 2015; TUI Group, 2015). However, the bulk of the travel industry consists of SMEs that typically have limited resources available for CSR. CARMACAL may offer a solution for the sector at large. CARMACAL is a user-friendly application that enables tour operators to accurately measure the complete carbon footprint of their tour packages and integrate carbon management in their business (CSTT, 2016a). The industry acknowledged its relevance: in April 2016 CARMACAL won the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Innovation Award
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Attending to the broader wellbeing debates, this study examines the interplay between forest-based tourism practices and sustainability. It does so by building on Max Weber’s notion of disenchantment of the world to explore how planetary wellbeing can be cultivated through the commercial practice of forest bathing. In positioning the study within the Serbian context, we build on feminist new materialist ideas to explore the ways in which broken ties between postmodern humans and forests as our primordial home can be reclaimed through this tourism practice. Using the empirical data collected during two forest tours, we take the relational approach in our analysis of the meanings the forest tour attendees ascribed to their experiences. In extending scholarly understandings of the notion of sustainability, we discuss the ways of achieving planetary wellbeing through forest bathing and the potential of more-than-human entanglements to re-enchant the world. To conclude, we discreetly illuminate one way of reconceiving the idea of enchantment and encourage rethinking our everyday and tourist practices in disenchanted Anthropocene.
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