Resilience in tourism

Tourism has long been a key driver of economic and social development in many countries around the world. More than a mere geographical displacement, it represents a journey of experiences, an encounter with diverse cultures and an engine of economic and social development.

From majestic white sand beaches to historic enclaves steeped in past legacies, it offers a universe of possibilities for those seeking to explore, learn and connect with the world around them.

An example of this is Cuba, which has found in the sector a fundamental pillar for the development of its economy for decades; knowing how to capitalize on its rich history, culture and natural landscapes to attract visitors from all over the world.

In addition to its architectural and cultural heritage, Cuba offers a diversity of landscapes ranging from lush valleys and mountains to mysterious caves and paradisiacal beaches. The Sierra Maestra, the Vi?ales Valley and the Guanahacabibes Peninsula Biosphere Reserve are just some examples of the natural treasures that make Cuba a unique destination for lovers of nature and adventure, country I have been in for the last 2 years.

While destination resilience has become a valuable concept in dealing with risks and uncertainty, approaches and examples of how to realize it in a destination are scarce.

Resilience refers to the ability of a system to adapt and recover from adverse situations. There is increasingly evidence of the need to comprehensively address in the tourism sector both measures focused on climate change and measures designed to prevent crises and disasters in order to aim towards greater resilience. In tourism, this means being able to face and overcome crises and disasters, minimizing their impacts and strengthening the sector. In this way, destinations and tourism companies will be able to recover more quickly from crises and disasters, maintaining their competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

Did you know what resilience was and what it could apply to tourism?