Aim and Scope

The global tourism and hospitality sectors are increasingly vulnerable to macroeconomic shocks, including global trade dynamics and trade shifts, which alter cross-border flows of goods, services, and capital (Black & Sinclair, 2003; Blessley & Mudambi, 2022; Ladkin et al., 2023; Siriopoulos et al., 2025). In recent years, emerging trade landscapes have been portrayed in headlines as villains threatening global commerce, painting dire pictures of collapsing markets and disrupted supply chains. Tourism, hospitality, events, entertainment, leisure, and recreation have all been caught in this storm of speculation and hype. Yet, beyond the loud noise of negative media narratives, there remains a glaring scarcity of empirical evidence to either confirm or challenge these dramatic claims. Are shifting tariff policies truly wreaking havoc on the tourism and hospitality sectors, or are there untold stories of adaptation, resilience, and opportunity waiting to be shared (e.g., Prayag, 2018; Verma & Gustafsson, 2020)?

Tourism Analysis invites researchers, practitioners, and storytellers from around the world to contribute to a special issue exploring the real-life implications of shifting tariff policies on travel, tourism, hospitality, events, entertainment, leisure, and recreation. We welcome submissions that move beyond the headlines, offering rigorous empirical research, insightful case studies, or engaging narratives that highlight how regions, communities, and businesses around the world are experiencing and responding to shifts in global trade. We seek stories that examine complex interdependencies through a theoretical lens, advancing or testing theories across diverse paradigms (Gössling et al., 2020).

By weaving data with storytelling, this special issue will offer a global mosaic of experiences and perspectives, illuminating the true scope of evolving trade dynamics on our interconnected industries. Researchers from every region are encouraged to share their evidence, stories, and insights to help shape a clearer understanding of how international trade shifts are influencing the world of tourism and hospitality. For regional representation, our guest editors come from diverse cultural and geographic backgrounds. Understanding how shifting trade policies impact not just supply chains but also labor structures and workforce resilience is crucial, particularly for low-skill, precarious sectors in tourism and hospitality (Ladkin et al., 2023).