Novel trends challenging tourism

Abstract

Purpose

Four novel trends: water scarcity, income inequality, labor shortage and gentrification, are receiving ever greater attention because of the devastating effects they having on the well-being of humanity. The purpose of this paper is to briefly describe each trend, discuss its effect on tourism and offer support from research as to how tourism can mitigate the effects of these trends.

Design/methodology/approach

The article draws on a literature review to identify comparatively new events, patterns and trends that are likely to impede the development of tourism in the coming years.

Findings

This study documents the negative implications these trends could have for the future of tourism if they are not well managed. Guidance on how destination managers and travel industry managers can mitigate each of these trends is provided.

Research limitations/implications

Given the damage to humanity these trends have created and the potential future damage they will create, there is a call to researchers to both develop and document ways to mitigate the negative effects of these trends.

Practical implications

Suggested actions on how managers can reduce or eliminate the negative impacts of these trends are provided.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to link these novel trends to the implications they have for tourism.

Citation

Whalen, E. and Bowen, J. (2023), "Novel trends challenging tourism", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 15 No. 6, pp. 608-616. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-09-2023-0109