The coronavirus pandemic is likely to create a “new normal” when it comes to travel and tourism. But when the borders have all reopened, what might that look like? We asked experts to share their views on what Chinese and East Asian travellers will be looking for in a post-Covid-19 world, and how the West could again woo such visitors.

Tourism will probably make a significant recovery before the coronavirus has been fully tamed, however, so John Ap, director of the Global Centre for Tourism Education & Training at Macau’s Institute for Tourism Studies, foresees a cautious return to old ways.

“Until the Covid-19 situation is totally under control, long-haul trips will be substituted by point-to-point travel. No grand tours per se,” says Ap, who predicts that international outbound tourism will remain below 2019 levels until at least 2023. “If an emergency arises, like a new virus hotspot, Chinese tourists will want to get back home fast, so they will likely [choose to holiday] no more than two-to-three hours away,  possibly within their own country.