QR Codes as a Wicked Hospitality and Tourism Pandemic Regulator: The Case of China

Abstract

Since the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 has dictated to the world what can be done or not. Log downs of countries, cities and businesses dominated the daily life of everybody. Especially the hospitality and tourism industry went through constant changes in rules and regulations. Tourists were not sure if they were allowed to travel or have to cancel their vacations. Hotels needed to be aware of COVID-19 registration and hygiene. In China, the Zero-COVID policies were wicked, strict and specific and should support daily businesses in the country. A specially used instrument was the variety of QR codes in place to prevent virus outbreaks and monitored tourism movements. For example, the city health QR code of each city/region in China, or the travel QR code to ensure safe travel. This chapter firstly looking into the ideas and policies behind the QR code system in China and secondly discovers through examples its efficiency. The final step is to propose a universal strategy on how QR codes and their policies can support safe and healthy hospitality and tourism recovery during the current pandemic crisis and protect tourists and the hospitality and tourism industry in future pandemic situations.

Citation

Kahl, C. (2024), "QR Codes as a Wicked Hospitality and Tourism Pandemic Regulator: The Case of China", Pforr, C., Pillmayer, M., Joppe, M., Scherle, N. and Pechlaner, H. (Ed.) Tourism Policy-Making in the Context of Contested Wicked Problems: Sustainability Paradox, Climate Emergency and COVID-19 (Advances in Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, Vol. 17A), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 139-156. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1871-31732024000017A009