Regina SCHEYVENS, Massey University, New Zealand
Apisalome MOVONO, Massey University, New Zealand
Sophie AUCKRAM, Gothenburg University, Sweden
The unyielding nature of COVID-19 and associated travel bans has put an unprecedented amount of pressure on the economies of Pacific island states: many had no international tourists for most of 2020 and 2021. One may assume that this would greatly undermine the wellbeing of Pacific peoples through the run-on effects of low income and associated financial stress. The impacts on wellbeing have, however, been both negative and positive (Scheyvens et al. 2021).
This presentation is based on our current research which has assessed wellbeing prior to the return of tourists in late 2021 in Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands and Vanuatu. The research will also examine resident wellbeing during 2022, approximately six months after tourists return to these countries. Local research associates in each of the four island states have administered surveys among members of tourism-dependent communities to measure six aspects of wellbeing: financial, social, physical, mental, spiritual and environmental wellbeing. Our presentation reveals ways in which some Pacific peoples flourished despite the lack of tourism, for example, by starting small enterprises, using their customary land to make up for lost income, by eating more healthy foods due to having time to tend to their gardens, and by getting more physical exercise and being out in nature. Many people reported that they felt fulfilled due to having more time to spend with their families and friends, and to invest in cultural and spiritual practices. We conclude by reflecting on preliminary data on the impacts of the return of international tourism to Pacific people's multiple wellbeings.
Mots clés : tourism|wellbeing|community|culture|Pacific
A104115RS