TOURISM: REFLECTIONS REVOLVING AROUND COVID-19

TURISMO DE PANDEMIA: REFLEXIONES EN TORNO AL COVID19- PANDEMIC

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The present notes of research bring some critical reflections on the effects of COVID19 in the tourism industry. Although much has been written on tourism and COVID19 worldwide, less is known on how visitors –probably defying the health authorities regulations- travel to infected destinations to understand better the pandemic. We have coined the term pandemic tourism to denote the rise of a new tourist niche interested to travel to Wuhan, China and other destinations with high viral circulation. We have identified three clear cut clusters among pandemic tourists: those who are concerned to be infected but opt to start travel, those who are deniers of the COVID but they are worried about being fired once returned to the home, and those who are nostalgic expatriates. The obtained outcomes should not be extrapolated to other universes. Keywords: Risk, COVID19, Tourism Pandemic, Fear, Nostalgic Expatriates.

RESUMEN: La presente nota de investigación discute críticamente los efectos del COVID19 en la industria turística. Si bien mucho se ha publicado sobre el tema, no menos cierto es que poco se sabe sobre lo que hemos denominado turismo de pandemia, que se cristaliza por el interés de los turistas en viajar a lugares prohibido por las autoridades sanitarias. La nota muestra tres grandes grupos de viajeros, aquellos que temen por su seguridad pero aun así viajan, aquellos que niegan la pandemia y por último los que sienten una nostalgia manifiesta porque deben regresar a su país, Argentina luego de muchos años en el extranjero. Palabras Claves: Riesgo, COVID19, Turismo de Pandemia, Miedo, Nostalgia.