In a rapidly changing world, the global tourism industry has faced unprecedented challenges. To shed light on the current state of affairs and provide valuable insights, a panel of industry experts recently discussed the upward trend of tourism and the potential growth for ‘dying downtowns’ like San Francisco and New York City in a briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services.

Speakers

(L-r)Cassandra Costello, Executive Vice President, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer, San Francisco Travel Association; James Altucher, podcaster and author of: “New York City Is Dead Forever.”; Dr. Frederic Dimanche, Director, Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Toronto Metropolitan University; Iuliana Popa, Doctoral student faculty, Conrad Hilton College of Global Hospitality Research, University of Houston.
  • Cassandra Costello, Executive Vice President, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer, San Francisco Travel Association
  • James Altucher, podcaster and author of: “New York City Is Dead Forever.”
  • Frederic Dimanche, Director, Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Toronto Metropolitan University
  • Iuliana Popa, Doctoral student faculty, Conrad Hilton College of Global Hospitality Research, University of Houston.

Key Trends and Challenges

Throughout the briefing, several trends and challenges facing the global tourism industry emerged. The impact of the pandemic has been huge for the travel industry. Speakers acknowledged the challenges posed by the pandemic, including logistical issues, shortage of labor, supply chain disruptions, and changing consumer behaviors.

With the significant rise of tourism and the apparent decline of downtowns, the importance of adaptation was emphasized by the panelists. They highlighted the resilience of cities like San Francisco and New York City bringing new attractions and local initiatives.

Cassandra Costello describes the vibrancy of the city’s tourism scene. Although locals are constantly hearing the plight of San Francisco, Costello provides statistics that suggest that violent crime rates are down 7%. She encouraged visitors to explore the diverse neighborhoods, cultural offerings, and culinary delights that San Francisco has to offer and is looking forward to international travelers reviving San Francisco’s tourism industry.

Future of Tourism

The conversation with James Altucher highlighted the ongoing debates surrounding the future of the industry in cities like New York. With WFH trends and a declining population, Altucher suggests that the industry is grappling with questions about the long-term impact of the pandemic on urban tourism and whether cities will be able to recover and thrive post-pandemic with the changing work-life dynamics.

Another trend experts have highlighted is the shift towards experiential travel. Frederic Dimanche highlighted the growing trend of travelers seeking unique and memorable experiences. Dimanche mentioned experiences out of the ordinary being the motivating factor for many elite tourists. Activities such as hiking the Camino to San Diego in Spain or embarking on a unique cruise with family, as compared to the standard beach vacations Californians typically take. This trend indicates a shift in consumer preferences and the need for the industry to cater to these evolving demands.

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the global tourism industry. Current challenges stemming from new trends, logistics, supply chain, labor, and more vigilant tourists; highlight the need for adaptation and change. As experiential travel takes the front stage of travel, declining urban tourism calls for a change in these once-thriving cities.