Tourism Economies During the Pandemic

From: J Birch Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2020 11:26:57 PM To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca <Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca>; dujarric@un.org <dujarric@un.org>; jason.darrah@banff.ca <jason.darrah@banff.ca>; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>; news@skynews.com <news@skynews.com>; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com <contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com>; newsonline@ctv.ca <newsonline@ctv.ca>; tips@GlobalTVBC.com <tips@GlobalTVBC.com>; media@gatesfoundation.org <media@gatesfoundation.org>; info@bnn.ca <info@bnn.ca>; accredit@gov.ru <accredit@gov.ru>; contactus@newfoundlandlabrador.com <contactus@newfoundlandlabrador.com>; david.penberthy@news.com.au <david.penberthy@news.com.au>; dir_enq@cso.gov.hk <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk>; fkalmbach@theadvocate.com <fkalmbach@theadvocate.com>; govsec@nanoq.gl <govsec@nanoq.gl>; jedmiston@nationalpost.com <jedmiston@nationalpost.com>

Subject: Tourism Economies During the Pandemic (Opinion)

Hey Everyone, I was reading a story about Banff and other tourist cities that are concerned about the remainder of the year as the Pandemic has delayed that industry. They are concerned with the economy but also the safety of their residents. I was therefore thinking of ways that they and other cities might be able to adapt their local economies during this time. I was thinking that tourist cities can temporarily change to a medical needs based economy, they can repurpose suppliers and contact lines to move and distribute medical equipment to areas that need it the most in the surrounding areas. They can liaison with companies and governments in their local area to create supply networks on a municipal level. Ensuring the surrounding hospitals, medical centres and businesses get the supplies and PPE they will need moving forwards. You can see if your shipping network local or overseas can adapt to medical supplies and then the residents can work digitally to send supplies where they need to go. Using their phones and internet they can start taking orders and shipping them as they work digitally. Your restaurants can coordinate food shipments to local towns and residents while your hospitality industry works to secure supplies and orders. Essentially working as digital intermediaries for their local areas to help coordinate local action and federal communications. Then when this crisis has ended you can pivot back into regular focus while keeping the logistical network as a backup in case its needed in the future. This way you can ensure the safety of the residents while supporting your local economy and the Pandemic efforts at the same time. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2