Cruise Tourism, Local Life, and Rhythms in Pre-, During, and Post-Pandemic Times

Abstract

This chapter focuses on cruise tourism and its impact on cities and local life in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Three-time phases will be analysed: pre-, during, and past the main phase of the pandemic. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, a lot of cities, especially in the Mediterranean, were struggling with the amount of cruise tourists in the context of overtourism. During the travel restrictions due to the pandemic, cruise tourism almost came to a total stillstand. Using Dubrovnik, Croatia, as a case study, this chapter reflects on strategies of cruise companies and city governments to deal with the pandemic situation and the comeback of cruise tourism afterwards. Moreover, the impact of cruise tourism on local life and citizens during these three phases will be analysed. Unpredictable risks like pandemics change the tourist world and require solutions to deal with risks to overcome critical situations and phases. Analysing these situations generates knowledge, which can be used for the further development of solutions in the VUCA world.

Citation

Baumann, A.C. (2024), "Cruise Tourism, Local Life, and Rhythms in Pre-, During, and Post-Pandemic Times", Islam, N.U., Chaudhary, M. and Vukadin, I.M. (Ed.) Tourism in a VUCA World: Managing the Future of Tourism, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 93-103. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-674-020241007