International tourism dynamics in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global environmental crisis require a reassessment of public policies and the way tourism is conducted. On one hand, the reopening of confined tourist destinations allows for a resurgence of activity, with figures ranging from 50 to 70% of the previous situation. Domestic tourism has been strengthened, but COVID-19 outbreaks have led to re-confinement of destinations. The analysis of economic and social costs and benefits of strategies involving restrictions and partial reopening of destinations is pending. Restricting circulation, accompanied by subsidies and public investments for the renewal of offerings, has reduced the economic impact, but many companies have closed. Infrastructure investments have favored construction and real estate speculation without knowing if this will consolidate nature-based destinations like Aysén.
Socially, the post-COVID-19 crisis responses, aggravated by the effects of climate change, vary. Public services seek to manage health security, cushion the social impact of the crisis, and timidly test the reactivation of tourism in cities and transportation hubs. Entrepreneurs seek to save or renew their businesses, which were especially impacted in localities and high tourist flow sites. Other actors, from local communities, have opted for a retreat, focusing on their traditional activities and seeking greater food and energy autonomy. They hope to attract diffuse tourism in rural and coastal areas in the future. Neo-rural alternative groups, on the other hand, aim to consolidate lifestyles based on local production, ecology, and alternative family tourism. In Aysén, their preferred places are priority areas for tourism such as Queulat, Chelenko, and Los Glaciares. Environmentalists seek to expand their conservation model to spaces still minimally impacted by humans, economically sustaining it through tourism (the Route of the National Parks) or through speculation on land value. In Aysén, the “boom” of private conservation reveals significant land use conflicts.
New offerings seek to respond to demands for niche tourism and experiences in more remote locations, mainly to limit contact with other visitors. This tourism for small groups of affluent clients seems to be the niche chosen by numerous entrepreneurs. Although authorities have supported the idea of encouraging family, social, volunteering, and culturally and scientifically rich tourism experiences (www.scientific-tourism.org), specific and permanent resources have not yet been allocated for this purpose. While longer stays appear as a solution, in a scenario with health risks, higher transportation costs, and restricted mobility, there are no figures to confirm this trend. Aysén appears as an ideal natural laboratory for conservation and research tourism, highlighting cultural heritage, mainly intangible. However, for residents and enthusiasts of low-cost recreational activities, sites for climbing, kayaking, trekking, water activities, or mountaineering are expected to be properly equipped. This, however, clashes with conflicting uses of space, such as for agriculture or conservation. These sites seem prone to being impacted by extreme events (landslides, floods, fires, or biological pests), more frequent due to climate change.
The current socio-environmental crisis requires us to improve our assessment and care of natural and cultural heritage, with the communities that inhabit the territory. Tourism of tomorrow must be based on coordination processes involving actors with divergent views, increasing the attractiveness of the territory as a place to live, rather than creating destinations with iconic products to sell. The post-pandemic tourism model must be compatible with the sustainable development goals proposed in the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, with better tourism practices, changes in the relationship between local actors and visitors with nature, reconciling the protection of wildlife habitat with strengthening local communities. Tourism must be more resilient in a scenario of climate change by strengthening the capacity of each micro-region to be autonomous in its production and distribution of services and food. We need to relearn how to improvise like the first settlers, to have more with fewer visitors.
