WTCF shares a promising strategy of recovery in a virtual expert panel discussion

On June 30, an Expert Panel Discussion addressing the topic “Tourism in Europe in 2020 and beyond” was held. WTCF’s Deputy Director of the Liaison Department, Mr. Sascha Stange participated in the event. Ms. Renata Pindzo, Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia and Mr. Peter Janech, Programme Officer in the Regional Department for Europe of the Madrid based United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) were also invited. The panel was held virtually in the framework of the REBEC 2020 event in Belgrade, the biggest Real Estate Fair on the Balkan.

While Ms. Renata Pidzo briefed the panelists on the situation of the tourism industry in Serbia, which has been impacted by COVID-19, and the country’s plans and strategies to recover in the upcoming months, Mr. Peter Janech shared Spain’s experience during the lockdown and the efforts to bring local tourism back to play its important role in the nation’s economy. He also gave information on the ongoing initiatives of UNWTO to advocate for a sustainable, responsible and inclusive approach in making the tourism sector once again a vital driver for economic prosperity and support of local livelihoods.

Mr. Sascha Stange, WTCF’s Deputy Director of the Liaison Department Source: WTCF

Mr. Sascha Stange shared the vision of the Chinese tourism sector while illustrating the vital and resilient signs of recovery of the domestic tourism market. An effective plan to contain and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and support of national and provincial authorities have shown good results in regaining much of its previous levels. He underlined the importance of sophisticated mobile solutions when prebooking and purchasing tourism products. In China thanks to a well-established system of smart technology networks and the high affinity to mobile use and APPs these innovative solutions have assisted in adopting to the new normal. He quoted the head of the Chinese Tourism Academy, Mr. Dai Bin when asked about the outlook for the tourism industry: “Revitalizing tourism is not about returning to the past, but adapting to the future."

During the session moderated by Mr. Christopher Hinteregger, Managing Director of Austriabased tourism consultancy PKF International, all the panelists agreed that the tourism sector is resilient, innovative and has the capacity to adapt to new challenges if all stakeholders of the public authorities on local and national levels as well as from the private sector work closely together and align their initiatives accordingly.