El turismo post pandemia: caso Alausí, Ecuador

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism sector of the Alausí canton, Ecuador. The pandemic has had a significant effect on it, such as the adoption of biosecurity measures and restrictions on mobility, which has led to an impact on tourism services in the area. However, after the decrease in infections and the relaxation of restrictions, the owners have undertaken the opening of new tourism businesses with the aim of reactivating the local economy. The study was carried out using a qualitative descriptive-comparative approach and cross-sectional scope. Semi-structured recorded interviews were used, which were subsequently transcribed and classified into categories of analysis using coding units. The main objective is to analyze the changes that occurred in the tourist services of Alausí after the Covid-19 pandemic. The results of the study demonstrated the impacts and transformations that the tourism sector in Alausí has experienced as a result of the pandemic. The conclusions focus on the adaptations made by tourism actors in response to the crisis, and emphasize the need to adopt effective public policy at the tourism level by local authorities. Keywords: post-pandemic tourism, Covid-19, tourism actors, tourism services, Alausí