Dimensions of (post-)viral tourism revival: actions and strategies from the perspectives of policymakers in Portugal

Abstract

This research explores the dimensions of (post-)viral tourism revival from the perspectives of policymakers in Portugal. Accordingly, the data were collected through semi-structured interviews with policymakers representing Portugal’s regional and national level tourism organisations. The findings include six main themes: financial actions, structural and logical strategies, demand-related strategies, workforce aspects and actions, marketing and promoting strategies, and optimization of funds. By providing the necessary actions and strategies, the present study results will be helpful for destinations to develop effective crisis management planning in the (post-)viral tourism to revive. Additionally, this paper is the first to reveal in detail the dimensions of (post-)viral tourism revival from the perspectives of policymakers who are in significant positions of regional and national level tourism organizations. Thence, the findings are original and will contribute to the tourism literature.