Community-based tourism during pandemics: Experiences of communities in Brazil and Africa

Abstract

The new coronavirus spread across the planet in 2020 causing severe crises with sanitary, economic and political consequences. Due to containment measures, many non-essential activities were paralyzed, including tourism. Some touristic communities are being doubly affected by the pandemic, due to the paralysis of their economic activities, while the threat of the virus reaches their regions. This article aims to analyse the relationship between community-based tourism and COVID-19, using the bibliography referring to both themes and showing examples from communities that are facing the moment of crisis. In order to contextualize the challenges faced by local actors, interviews were made with community leaders from Brazil and Africa. Results show that residents feel the absence of support from governments, which culminates in the lack of income and the fear of hosting tourists. Meanwhile, they are preparing, in the midst of uncertainties, for new ways of providing services.