The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector in EU Mediterranean states

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe effect on the travel and tourism sector globally. Immediate control measures involved travel bans which eliminated holiday travel during the first wave of the pandemic. Subsequently, travel resumed but with various restrictions and other containment measures. Moreover, social distancing continued to constrain the tourism industry throughout 2020 and 2021. The significant disruptions of COVID-19 on the tourist industry, makes this study an interesting one. In light of this, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector, with a particular emphasis on the EU Mediterranean States of Malta and Cyprus. To achieve this aim, this dissertation involved a comparative case study to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Malta’s and Cyprus’ tourism industry. Through quantitative research involving data on six key indicators, the performance of the tourism industry in these two countries during 2020 and 2021 was compared to the pre-pandemic 2019 level. A comparative assessment of the two countries was also employed to analyse the different types of mitigating measures that were established by their national governments. This involved the use of qualitative research and followed an analysis of emergency, recovery and long-term support measures, with the latter also including the national Recovery and Resilience Plans of Malta and Cyprus. Additionally, this study also involved an assessment of the EU’s role throughout the course of COVID-19, by taking into consideration the conferences that took place by the EU Tourism Ministers, the priorities of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, as outlined in the Regulation establishing it, and other EU measures, through the use of qualitative research. To fulfil this objective, three research questions were selected: “How did the COVID-19 Pandemic affect the Tourism Sector in EU Mediterranean States?”, “How did the National Governments of the EU Mediterranean States support the Tourism Sector during the COVID-19 Pandemic?” and “How did the EU assist the Tourism Sector during the COVID-19 Pandemic?”. The main findings of this study suggest that Malta and Cyprus were hard hit by COVID-19. Nonetheless, the year of 2021 indicates that the tourist industry rebounded from the consequences of the health crisis, albeit still remaining well below the prepandemic levels. Moreover, when comparing the impact upon the tourism sector of Malta and Cyprus, statistical data indicated that Cyprus recovered more strongly than Malta during 2021. Moreover, whilst various mitigation measures were put forward by the national governments, it was maintained that whilst the Maltese Government put more emphasis on emergency and recovery measures, the Cypriot Government focused more on long-term measures. The results on the EU’s role show that action was limited in the context of COVID-19 and there was no harmonisation of restrictions to travel. In addition, there was a lack of emphasis on tourism in the Regulation establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility and this is reflected also in national Recovery and Resilience Plans, especially that of Malta. Nonetheless, EU measures that facilitated travel and tourism were still put forward.