COVID-19 Pandemic Strategies in Tourism Activity as Guidelines for Ex-Yugoslavia Countries Tourism Recovery

Tourism economy is severely affected by COVID-19 pandemic, and if it is not adequately handled, the industry will suffer further negative consequences, resulting in economic failure. This study attempts to formulate post-COVID-19 recovery strategies for Destination Management Organizations (DMO) in six ex-Yugoslavia (Ex-Yu) countries. In order to achieve this, firstly, an overview of popularity of tourist sights in the Ex-Yu is given, benchmarking pre-COVID-19 to the current pandemic scenario; secondly, global best case practices of post-COVID-19 recovery strategies in Tourism economy are analyzed, drawing paralles with Ex-Yu countries. To understand the effect of the global pandemic on the international tourism and in Ex-Yu countries, statistical data from reputable and authentic data sources was collected and analyzed. The research findings prove that effective, long-term strategies are necessary to recover the industry from the negative effects of the pandemic. This pandemic has left such an impact on this industry, that it will be a challenge to overcome the consequences, some of them for years to stay. Therefore, governments and international organisations, as well as private companies, must establish a long-term plan for the industry so that it does not fail again, as it did in this case, in order to continue on the path of growth. At various stages, methods should be consistent and complementary. Thus, recovery strategies need to respond to challenges in a way that ensures a planned and effective recovery of the industry.