Regenerative and Responsible Rural Tourism in the Face of Global Uncertainties

The study argues that global uncertainties like pandemics could have opportunities for regenerative and responsible rural tourism development. It investigated possible opportunities of COVID-19 for regenerative and responsible rural tourism development in Nigeria. Key informant interview, focus group discussion and observation were the main research approaches. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to downsize the huge population size to 45 informants for key informant interviews and focus group discussion sessions. Descriptive and literature analyses were used for data analysis. Opportunity for digitization, shift in consuming habits, rural assess for quality service, reshoring strategies, low carbon economy, mobilization of local networks, reduction in tourist traffic, carrying capacity control, natural recovery for tourism resources, among others were identified as opportunities of the pandemic for regenerative and responsible rural tourism in Southeast Nigeria. This study has implication for opportunities of regenerative and responsible rural tourism in times of uncertainties.