S.C Bagri, Professor, Centre for Mountain Tourism and Hospitality Studies, HNB Garhwal University ( a central University). Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India
Junaid KC, Research Scholar, Centre for Mountain Tourism and Hospitality Studies, HNB Garhwal University( a central University). Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India

By 2019, the Travel and Tourism sector was growing sustainably while compared to any other industry in the world. With a contribution of US$8.9 trillion to the world’s GDP (10.3% of global GDP), and accounted for around 330 million jobs (1 in 10) worldwide (Neufeld, 2020: WTTC, 2020a). But, the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019 dramatically changed the entire scenario worldwide. As of now, the global pandemic effects will take the travel and tourism sector back to 20 years (Richter, 2020). Reports of UNWTO and WTTC forecasted 121 million direct tourism jobs in risk and a decline of around 80% in international tourist arrivals in the year 2020 (UNWTO, 2020a; WTTC, 2020b). Many studies have discussed that the COVID-19 lead worldwide travel restrictions, international sanctions and economic crisis, boosted ethnic conflicts and geopolitical tensions at local and international level. This article elaborates on trends of the global travel and tourism sector before and since the COVID-19 pandemic concerning the ethnic conflicts and geopolitics happening around the world. The present research article is based on the reports of UNWTO, WTTC and other national bodies besides the scholarly writings contributed by Burke, Chetcuti et al., Polo, Seyfi et al., Wilkinson et al., Jawabreh, Mostafanezhad, Timothy and Rowen. Authors have also attempted to review the news and views that appeared in the print and electronic medias. And whatever the issues and trends were noticed have been elaborated in the present research paper supported by statements on recent measures by government or non-government agencies to restart the tourism sector.

Keywords: Geopolitics, ethnic conflicts, COVID-19, rethink tourism

Suggested citation: Bagri, S.C. & Junaid, K.C. (2020). Ethnic conflicts and geopolitics: COVID-19 augmented chaos versus efforts to restart tourism sector. Skyline Business Journal. 16(1), pp 73-80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37383/SBJ160107

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S.C Bagri, Professor, Centre for Mountain Tourism and Hospitality Studies, HNB Garhwal University ( a central University). Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India
Junaid KC, Research Scholar, Centre for Mountain Tourism and Hospitality Studies, HNB Garhwal University( a central University). Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India

Bagri, S.C. & Junaid, K.C. (2020). Ethnic conflicts and geopolitics: COVID-19 augmented chaos versus efforts to restart tourism sector. Skyline Business Journal. 16(1), pp 73-80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37383/SBJ160107