ABSTRACT
The Case Studies should be viewed as a targeted methodology to bring real life situations and conditions into our understanding of the links between tourism theory and practice. The post-COVID world of tourism has created a situation in which the practicalities are glaringly obvious, whilst the theory which was happily embraced a year ago is now found not wholly relevant. They are thus intended to provide some practical examples of destinations and methodologies in terms of:
The current problems facing tourism
The impact of mass and over-tourism on fragile environments, and the post-COVID future
The “new reality” over the next 2–5 years
Methods that may be applied to encourage ethical and responsible tourism in the longer term
The critical value of developing sustainability in local tourism
These hopefully view the new reality of the post-COVID tourism world – a new reality which demands us to pause–reflect–reset and to look critically at the mass-tourism driven model which has overwhelmed tourism over the past 50 years. COVID-19 provides an opportunity to revisit and reflect.
