While India has set an ambitious, so-called Vision@2047 goal for tourism some two decades into the future, what’s really needed urgently right now is a long-overdue national tourism policy.
Is the shoe now on the other foot? South Africa’s new tourism campaign push comes just as its industry begins to see green shoots of recovery ahead, in contrast to the uncertainty that now hangs over European destinations.
It’s about time Africans were portrayed as central protagonists in the exploration of their own backyards. But Uganda’s new campaign also shows how African destinations can stand out more sustainably — pushing for local and regional tourism short-term, and preparing for more adventure and community-based tourism down the road.
That no one dug deep enough to find out that the "Keep Calm and Visit Ukraine" message was not published on a government website says a lot about the state of the internet today. Disorienting tourists when uncertainty already rules over travel is downright irresponsible.
Great storytelling always wins, in that it reminds us what travel should be about — the place and its host communities. It's a skill that more tourism campaign creators need to harness as part of "building back better."
Pandemic ups and downs aside, a destination must stay top of mind with travelers. For Milan, repositioning the city's image means finding creative ways to hit the right note of cheer until a recovery is here to stay.
Here's to hoping we don't see another one of these anytime soon. Host communities everywhere, irrespective of the destination's income level or racial makeup, are the face and the raison d'être of this global tourism industry — and they deserve better.