Reinvigorating Asia’s Tourism Industry: Strategies for Sustainable Post-pandemic Recovery

Purpose This study aims to investigate and assess methods for the sustained revival of Asia’s tourism industry in the aftermath of the pandemic. It evaluates the repercussions of COVID-19 on the tourism industry and pinpoints essential strategies for rejuvenating the industry, with an emphasis on long-lasting sustainability. Methodology The researchers examined a large number of studies utilizing three major databases: Scopus (Science Direct), Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search keywords include “COVID-19”, “digitalization”, “digital transformation”, “pandemic effect”, “responsible tourism”, “tourism sustainability”, “tourism sector”, and “post-pandemic strategies”, yielding a total of 128 articles as an initial selection from 2018 to June 2024. Finally, after screening and filtering, 36 articles relevant to the study’s focus were selected for in-depth analysis. The articles were retrieved from the databases and then screened and filtered according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The key inclusion criteria included relevance to the scope of the study, publication year, and full-text article availability. Findings The study proposes a comprehensive strategic plan for Asia’s tourism industry after the pandemic, balancing economic development with local welfare and environmental sustainability, and promoting innovation and strategic partnerships. Limitations The use of terms like “COVID-19,” “pandemic,” “digital transformation,” “responsible tourism,” “tourism sector,” and “sustainability” may have overlooked other relevant articles. Implications The study implied that the rights of unfair treatment and integration of persons in rehabilitation programs are the focus of the research. It endorses struggling groups and aims at narrowing down the gap between people in society. The study also offers a way of restoring the Asiatic touring business after the epidemic dented it severely. Originality/Value The study compiles existing literature on how to sustainably support the recovery of Asia’s tourist industry from the epidemic. It seeks to establish the problems and prospects that emerge. As a result of the collection of information from various sources, it seeks to present an overview of the Asian market’s tourist recovery measures. Drawing from various academic publications, it provides a holistic perspective and highlights effective strategies for policymakers and stakeholders to revitalize the tourism industry sustainably.