Title: The effects of COVID-19 on social enterprise tourism initiatives: a multiple case study approach of the global south

Authors: Andrés Morales; Sara Calvo

Addresses: Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Av. de la Paz, 137, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain ' Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Av. de la Paz, 137, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain

Abstract: Studies about the effects of COVID-19 on tourism related activities are well developed; however, there are limited studies about the effects of COVID on social enterprise touristic activities. This paper aims to contribute to the existing studies about this phenomenon using a multiple case study approach with case studies from the Global South, specifically, from Vietnam, Cambodia, Palestine, Ecuador and Colombia. Considering qualitative research techniques, a multiple case study approach that included online semi-structured interviews and a focus group was used. Online interviews and a focus group were carried out with the tourism initiatives (n = 5) determined by the purposeful sampling method. Several aspects emerged from the findings: how COVID-19 affected SE tourism businesses, the expectations of tourist mobility, the anxiety of founders related to tourism, preparation and training for COVID-19, and alternatives to the current services provided. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research into the effects of COVID-19 on touristic social enterprise initiatives in the Global South and North.

Keywords: COVID-19; tourism sector; social enterprise; global south.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2023.132675

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2023 Vol.16 No.1/2/3, pp.30 - 45

Received: 14 Feb 2022
Accepted: 13 Oct 2022
Published online: 07 Aug 2023 *

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