LETTER | Let Covid-19 purge the tourism industry of 'zombies'

LETTER | I refer to news and articles in the press extolling the power and glory of the tourism industry, an industry seemingly indispensable to the economy.

Unfortunately tourism – the business, the industry, the money-spinner and the great exploiter - has done huge damage to the Earth and its living beings in tandem with its explosive growth.

The speed and global spread of Covid-19 and the consequent deaths and destruction were to a great extent due to the unrestricted and even government-boosted industrial tourism.

Travel picked up post-WWII as transportation infrastructure expanded, initially for the movement of goods. That trend has snowballed into a global tourism industry due to developments on both the demand and supply side.

Demand growth arose from greater wealth, more leisure time and the communication revolution. Supply expanded with faster, cheaper and multiple modes of travel and accommodation.

Travel used to be an enjoyable and enriching experience for both guests and hosts. Perhaps the biggest mistake was governments getting into the act.

Tourism is not an unmitigated good that governments must promote and facilitate and encourage with incentives, overseas advertising campaigns and even direct input of public money.

Why is government in this industry like in almost no other?

To say that tourism is a big and vital part of economic activity is to also say the industry has become so big and powerful that it is able to influence governments in unhealthy ways. Political leaders should be careful about this.

While the going was good, this industry reaped huge profits and gave back in taxes little and rather reluctantly. At every point of any travel itinerary, the environment is polluted with fossil fuel emissions, litter everywhere, vehicular noise and depletion of natural flora and fauna.

Tourism has grown big, like the motorcar industry, but all businesses go through cycles and most have a limited lifespan. Hopefully, promoters will not use the "too-big-to-fail" card to stampede authorities into coming forth to rescue them. In fact, no industry is too big to fail.

Everybody can fly does not mean everybody should or even will. In fact, most people will not ever in their lives. On the supply side, damage caused by tourism is prompting an increasing number of destinations to restrict visitor numbers.

If the industry finds itself in a deep hole now, it should like all economic enterprises be left to reorganise, downsize, reimagine or just adjust and hibernate.

Governments are already racking up unprecedented levels of debt to help the really needy.

One occasion when the government did great harm to the Malaysian economy was the manner in which it bailed out failed private enterprises during the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997/98.

No society will progress if "zombie corporations" are kept alive on public money. The talk of saving jobs and investments is all nonsense to cover up crony capitalism. Crony business people may have a temporary respite from embarrassment and loss, but society pays a heavy price.

Employees and corporations have legal safeguards. Business is a willingness to take on the risk of loss in anticipation of bigger profits. Let the chips fall where they may.

Then there will be young people willing, able and ready to infuse fresh, alternative, sustainable tourism concepts and products to once again make travel enjoyable and enriching.

That will not happen if the industry space continues to be occupied by zombies.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.