The tourism sector is currently one of the hardest-hit by the outbreak of COVID-19, with impacts on both travel supply and demand. Even if tourist spots were open Americans are either encouraged or mandated to practice social distancing and stay at home.
The U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics, says there could be as many as 5.9 million jobs lost due to declining travel by the end of April.
The slump in travel will cause a $910 billion hit to the U.S. economy, says the U.S. Travel Association.
The crash in tourism activity linked to the coronavirus will see spending across all sectors–lodging, retail, restaurants, transportation and attractions–plunge by 78% in the next two months.
The reality is many tourist areas will never recover from the damage done by this pandemic.
Cape Charles as we know it may be completely altered.
Economies built on a foundation of tourism are economic sand castles. They are not nearly as robust as we are lead to believe.
The virus, and the willful destruction of the economy by state and local governments is creating a seismic shift in the way people will live their lives. Not in a healthcare sense, but more an economic sense. People are going to reevaluate what is essential, and what is not. Rather than blowing money on vacations, Americans may instead be looking at ways to be more financial savvy, ways to shore up and be more prepared for the next crisis.
“…we are living in the most fearmongering time in human history. And the main reason for this is that there’s a lot of power and money available to individuals and organizations who can perpetuate these fears.” –Barry Glassner.
Let’s face it, fear has become big business for the media, insurance companies, pharma, and the government itself.
COVI-19 has tapped directly into the amygdala, a region in each hemisphere of the brain that is responsible for emotional responses like fear. It is there to keep us alive. Which also why it is fairly easy to manipulate.
Fear is making people re-think a lot of things, how important is financial health. What this will mean long-term is yet to be seen. We as a country may never be the same.
Cape Charles, and places like it, may never be the same.
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