Responding to the Coronavirus crisis. Parallels for tourism and climate change?

The coronavirus epidemic has necessitated a global response to the effects of this human crisis. This has been determined by government coercion through a policy of ‘lockdown’ to curtail individual mobility, limiting movement to the home environment. Despite lifestyle adjustments involving a denial of self-interest, the policy has generally received widespread support as people understand and accept the gravity of the crisis, whilst observing beneficial outcomes for society. This short article considers the lessons that can be learnt from tackling the coronavirus epidemic for making tourism environmentally sustainable in the context of climate change. Given that most greenhouse gas emissions from tourism relate to transport, particular attention is placed on the use of aviation for the purpose of recreation. Aviation is the most climate intensive form of transport and until the outbreak of coronavirus was predicted for exponential global growth in immediate decades. Accepting aviation’s significance to induce climate change, it is suggested that we need to reflect on the future role of aviation in global society, including the morality of unrestricted flying. If a behavioural adjustment to reduce aviation demand to mitigate the effects of climate change is desired policy, lessons from coronavirus suggest that government coercion by public understanding of why an adjustment is required, is essential for its success