Very interesting presentations were heard in the TSG4 Sustainable Tourism panel discussion “New trends in sustainable tourism – what does a modern tourist want?”. State Secretary Tonči Glavina from the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sports opened the discussion with his introductory speech. The average decline in tourist traffic in the region is about 70%, and the return to the “old” or to the figures from 2019 could happen only in two to three years, or 2024.
Ramune Genzbigelyte-Venturi from the Directorate-General for the Internal Market, Industry and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (DG GROW) recalled that we launched a dialogue on the future of European tourism with the European Convention on Tourism last October. Research shows shifts in demand. Tourism must change according to the wishes of travelers. Modern travelers seek safety and risk-free travel. They are looking for a better insight into the offer, in which digitalization and innovation will play a major role, and they are also looking for a unique and personalized experience with CO2-neutral travel.
In response to the new demand, new, highly specialized tourist professions are being born that will respond to the desire of tourists to experience a different, adapted journey, indicates the National Geographic research. In its research, Tripadvisor concludes that people still want to travel, look for new travel models, look for safe and closer destinations, authentic local ambiences, and open and unexplored landscapes.
Digitalization in tourism, as one of the responses to the crisis, means the introduction of new technologies such as virtual reality (VR). Almir Peštek from the Faculty of Economics, University of Sarajevo spoke about it. “Virtual reality will be important in the preparation of travel, but also in the preservation of resources and protection of cultural and natural assets,” emphasizes Peštek and adds that “VR rather promotes than restrains tourism, and becomes part of the new reality in tourism.”
“We recognize the portrait of a future traveler in the EUSAIR region, who seeks security and a touchless approach, but also feels a responsibility towards destinations. We are all aware that a huge effort is still ahead of us, that tourism relies on trust and a reliable relationship between people. Therefore, we strive for a new vision of tourism, responsible, transformative and sustainable, fully dedicated to our new brave consumers “, concluded yesterday’s discussion Tonči Glavina, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia.
