Tourist Health, Safety and Wellbeing in the New Normal

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of international and domestic tourism and sharply focused attention on the importance of tourist health, safety and wellbeing like never before. This book offers a unique perspective on the challenges facing the world’s largest service industry to protect and care for customers in a rapidly evolving environment where borders have closed, social distancing rules apply and personal hygiene has become a key focus in everyday life.

Yet tourism is a very resilient industry and history shows there is always an immediate surge toward recovery after a crisis has passed. Humans want to travel and see the world. While we appreciate that the pandemic is far from over, already there are reports of pent-up demand for travel as restrictions ease at some destinations and borders begin to open. As we move hopefully toward the recovery phase and people begin to move around for business and pleasure, this book presents the reader with key information and insights in both traditional and emerging areas of tourist health, safety and wellbeing, recognising that the world is now shaped by this pandemic, bringing change, potentially enduring benefits and lasting legacies.

Dr Jeff Wilks is a psychologist and lawyer specialising in travel health, safety and wellbeing. He works as a consultant for law firms, government agencies and the tourism industry. Jeff is lead author on seven safety books. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Griffith and James Cook universities.

Professor Donna Pendergast is Dean and Head, School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University. Her research expertise is in education transformation and efficacy. Donna also has a background in hospitality and public health. She is Chair of the Queensland Council of Deans of Education (QCDE) and has published 22 books.

Professor Peter A. Leggat, AM, ADC is a medical practitioner and Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Vector-borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases at James Cook University. He is the author of several books on travel medicine and infectious disease. Peter is also President of the International Society of Travel Medicine.

Professor Damian Morgan is a management specialist with research interest in risk management for visitors and businesses servicing visitors. Research partners include AGL, Destination Gippsland, Environment Protection Authority Victoria and Lifesaving Victoria. Damian currently teaches at James Cook University.