The specifics of the return of Czech tourism to the positives of the pre-COVID-19 era

Abstract

The present study directs attention to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on one of the most complex and globally significant economic sectors, tourism. Significant losses in the tourism economy were also recorded in the Czech Republic, for which tourism was one of the most affected sectors. However, the pandemic also revealed the need to be prepared and have a plan to develop tourism effectively and to be able to solve unexpected problems. The question remains whether the Czech tourism industry managed to overcome the reflection of the impact of the pandemic in the critical year 2020 in continuity with a negative spillover into 2021 and subsequently build on the significantly positive development trend of the successful year 2019. A study based on a thorough comparison of secondary data, following on from the analysis of data from the Czech Statistical Office, presents not only a comprehensive reflection of the impact of the pandemic on tourism in connection with the specifics of the Czech environment but also points to a solution. The importance of tourism for the Czech economy is indisputable. Although it is a beneficial finding that "Czechs have rediscovered the Czech Republic," it is necessary to strengthen interest both on the part of foreign visitors (e.g., by satisfying the demand for specific topics such as food, events, LGBT tourism, etc.), and to gain the attention of investors and entrepreneurs.