“Everything is uncertain.” – undertourism and increased ethnic divisions

Keywords: inequality, labor mobility, undertourism, souq, The Sultanate of Oman
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Tuesday
Session Start / End Time: 3/1/2022 05:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 3/1/2022 06:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 38

Abstract

Pre-existing inequalities and social exclusion have aggravated during the COVID-19 pandemic. My research calls for investment into the human and social capital with a more inclusive and participatory community approach, promoting a people-oriented post-COVID-19 recovery of tourism in the Global South. The methods used are qualitative: in-depth interviews, observation, photography and informal conversations were applied during the tourist season 2020/2021. Until March 2020, the Sultanate of Oman was one of the emerging, tourist destinations in the Middle East. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, international tourism with the arrival of tourists from the Global North came to a sudden standstill. This had major impacts on top tourist destinations like Souq Muttrah, an ancient market place opposite to the cruise port which was usually overcrowded during the cruise season. After five months of complete lockdown and immobility of the district and its inhabitants in mid-2020 and several evening and full lockdowns, the people in the souq have been facing undertourism, leading to continuous uncertainties, fear of job loss and increased ethnic and social divisions between ‘the local’ and ‘the Other’. The economy slowed down and the focus was on the employment of Omanis in all sectors. However, except in Souq Muttrah where the majority of the male vendors remain expatriates from Asia. Some vendors had to leave and return to their families. In spring 2021 flights between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and Oman were suspended, leaving some workers in an additional uncertain ‘limbo’ without social security. Cruise tourism may start again soon.