Health risks, governance and changes in ecotourism paradigms during Covid19 pandemic, case study of Essaouira Province in Morocco

¹ Laboratoire de Recherches des Sciences Appliquées à l’Environnement et au développement Durable (SAEDD, Higher School of Technology of Essaouira, Cadi Ayyad University (Marrakech).
² Ecole Supérieure de Technologie de Kénitra, Ibn Tofail University, B.P. 242, 14000, Kenitra, Morocco.

^* Corresponding author: m.boukherouk@uca.ma

Abstract

Tourism merits on natural spaces are not exhausted, namely economic dynamics, development of the local population’s life conditions, species conservation and awareness of environmental protection. However, the damage caused by Coronavirus to natural and rural spaces has impacted such merits negatively, for example, suspension of tourism and recreation activities. Further, the rebirth of ecotourism will be slower and necessitates profound changes in travel design and service delivery. Hence, sustainability, sanitary and regulatory measures will probably help manage ecotourism systems. Nevertheless, these will be affected by the increase in exploring relations between nature and wildlife regarding zoonotic and vector-borne infections and the fragility of biodiversity. Because of his mobility, a tourist appears to be a potential pathogen transmission factor of infections to natural areas, local communities, ecotourism destinations, his country and the crossed ones. New procedures would reduce travel and control traveler’s behavior, and interactions between travelers and wild animals. The slowdown in demand may thus hinder the development of ecotourism. Sensitivity to epidemiological risk and vector-borne diseases will be greater and the need for health-friendly tourism will be further strengthened.