Tourism Planning and Management during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Lesson from Girona

Abstract

This paper aims to establish the significance of including the host community in the tourism planning and management processes in Girona-Spain. Additionally, it illustrates tourism data that correspond to periods before, during, and after the COVID-19 outbreak in the city. It explores the contribution of academia and stakeholders in the planning and management of the tourism system during the pandemic. Design/Methodology/Approach: The literature review references the residents, planning, management, and strategies for the contribution of local actors in the development of tourism models to be applied in the case study of Girona. It involves a qualitative methodology, using semi-structured interviews, and the Delphi method on the software Atlas Ti 8 regarding the residents’ perceptions and the strategies of local public and private actors to establish sustainable models in tourist cities. Findings: The study reveals the effect and perceptions of residents regarding tourist activity in a historic center of a medium-sized city before the COVID-19 pandemic and five strategies proposed by both public and private organizations and residents, presenting unprecedented challenges. Research Limitations/Implications: The study does not include the perspective of tourists who have already seen Girona. Practical Implications: The strategies presented can be applied at the policy level in urban cities. Understanding resident-tourist interaction and effects will help prepare a better sustainable tourism development plan. Originality/Value: This paper is the first to present a tourism planning proposal for a city carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic with the participation of residents, public and private stakeholders, and academia