ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted shortfalls in the U.S. food system, exposing how regulatory processes shape access to the market. This paper builds on ongoing research following the impact of shut-down orders on alcohol retail via small restaurants and breweries in Arizona and examines the impacts of regulatory shifts on the ability of these food enterprises to pivot. We highlight how the concept of the pivot creates expectations of individual businesses ability to be resilient to shocks. Responses within Arizona to COVID-19 induced systemic failures, demonstrate that bottom-up pivots from small businesses can creatively and quickly meet local community needs. However, those efforts were stymied by state government and top-down approaches that proved incapable of pivoting to meet local needs. Through this case study, we highlight the need and opportunity for further examination of the interplay between regulatory agencies and small businesses in times of crisis. We invite others into the work of creating guidelines for pivoting that facilitate bottom-up and top-down collaboration while ensuring the voice and agency of different players.
ABSTRACT
This article discusses the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on beer production and consumption in Europe, with a focus on Friuli Venezia Giulia region in Italy. The pandemic restrictions have resulted in a contraction in the production and consumption of beer in Europe in 2020 and 2021. However, Italy has seen a recovery in the beer sector due to a surge in demand in the HoReCa channel. In terms of off-trade outlets, such as supermarkets and retail sales, there has been a continued growth trend seen in previous years, with an increasing preference for low-alcohol or alcohol-free beers. Friuli Venezia Giulia has experienced a rise in the number of beer consumers by 3.1% in 2021, with every 100 people witnessing a rise of 1.5% compared to the previous year, making it the region with the highest percentage of beer consumers in Italy. The region has seen continuous growth in craft brewing companies, with 55 as of 31 March 2022. Microbreweries are the predominant business type, and e-commerce is a service offered by 36% of the craft companies. The environmental impact resulting from the activities of the companies studied varies, and there is significant room for improvement in the future. Overall, the craft brewing industry in Friuli Venezia Giulia shows continued growth and development, contributing to the economic development of rural areas.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The aim of this paper is to propose a way to minimize the negative impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the activities of mini-breweries. Research questions: Has pandemic affected the decrease in mini-breweries production? Can tourism help to save mini-breweries? What specific problems has the pandemic caused to mini-breweries? How do mini-breweries solve their problems? Research Methods: The paper presents a comparative analysis of the results of primary sources obtained through a questionnaire survey. The research tool used was an online survey conducted between 10 September and 10 October 2020 capturing answers from 59 mini-breweries in the Czech Republic. The survey examined effects of the pandemic, views on the changing beer market, mitigation measures, effects on demand for beer and other services and evaluation of government measures. Minibreweries were contacted in writing or in person. There were three categories for the length of operation of the minibrewery on the market. 33 microbreweries have been on the market for more than 5 years, 23 for a period of 2 to 5 years and the remaining 3 have been on the market for less than 2 years. It was also examined where mini-breweries have their headquarters. The majority of respondents was from municipalities with less than 2,000 inhabitants, a total of 14. Cities of 2 - 5 000 habitants were represented by 6 microbreweries, 5 - 10 000 by 8, 10 - 50 000 by 9, 50 - 100 000 by 1 and larger than 100 000 by 9. The second largest group consisted of breweries from Prague with 12 responses. Results and Discussion: The pandemic negatively or rather negatively affected the economy of mini-breweries (75%). The pandemic did not affect the economy at all (10%). It is too early to assess effects of the pandemic (10%). The economy of mini-breweries has improved (5%). The pandemic caused a dramatic drop in sales (67.8%). The mini-brewery lost customers (40.7%). The mini-brewery sustained economic losses due to the wastage of already brewed beer (25.4%). The mini-brewery lost employees (22.0%). The pandemic had no impact (16.9%). The mini-brewery reported higher sales (1.7%). Mini-breweries responded to the situation: 76.3% opened a takeaway window;59.3% distributed beer to clients;52.5% changed the structure of beer bottling;45.8% started using social media more;42,4% increased Internet advertising;40.7% started online sales;10.2% reduced the range of products. Brewers perceive tourism as a possible starting point. The role of off-trade is often mentioned, as well as the price of beer as factors influencing the demand for beer. The research clearly confirmed the need to strengthen the role of tourism as a tool to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on microbreweries. It demonstrates the need for a specific focus on a specific tourist segment coming to the Czech Republic, not only in beer or gastronomic tourism but also in experiential, cultural-historical and educational tourism in deeper cooperation with destination management organizations. Implications: The pandemic has an impact on the activities of mini-breweries, beer production has been reduced, employees have lost their jobs, premises have been closed and the number of customers dropped. Most mini-breweries have introduced product and marketing innovations. Renewed tourism can revive the activities of mini-breweries with their original products (tourist brewery tours, tastings, sale of souvenirs) and new ones (opening a beer museum, social and entertainment events, beer brewing experience courses, etc.). The research suggests the cooperation of several entities - mini-breweries with a specific DMO of the region in which the mini-brewery is located - the CzechTourism national tourism centre - by selected travel agencies or offices focusing on experiential gastronomy, beer, educational and cultural-historical tourism. As part of the proposed cooperation, it will be possible to streamline national and foreign marketing projects to raise the profile of mini-breweries and increase tourists' awareness of the ex
ABSTRACT
This special issue summarizes the crises in sustainable tourism and provides solutions that can mitigate crises. Containing 13 articles, topics in this issue include: a context and viewpoint on the possible implications of post COVID 19 reflection for wildlife tourism operations in the future;the role of service robots in gastronomic and dining experiences in a post coronavirus disease (COVID) world;the conflict of logics between private sector interests and public initiatives related to crisis management in tourism;the stringency of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) countermeasures in Japan;the perception of tourists as actors disconnected from citizens' necessities, safety and wellbeing;Twitter content analysis of the Australian bushfires disaster 2019 to 2020 relative to the country's tourism industry;the relevance of Cuba's medical system, its health tourism and related diplomacy in the context of the recent COVID 19 pandemic;post crisis (COVID) futures for live entertainment and tourism dependent destinations;antagonistic coexistence of different tourism imaginaries in global postviral social landscapes;how Fukushima's sake breweries challenged negative stereotypes and rebuilt its regional brand;and three book reviews on "Wildlife Tourism Futures: Encounters with Wild, Captive and Artificial Animals", "Tourismus NEXT (German)" and " Sustainable and Collaborative Tourism in a Digital World".