TOURISM AFTER THE PANDEMIC: SAFETY AS A PILLAR OF TRUST AND GROWTH

The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions in global tourism, with a sharp decline in tourist flows during 2020 and 2021. Although the sector has shown remarkable resilience and recovery began as early as 2022, the process of rebuilding trust in tourism is still ongoing. In this context, tourist safety becomes a key factor not only for restoring consumer confidence but also for the stable growth and sustainable development of tourism. This paper analyzes the role of safety in the modern tourism environment, with particular attention to the challenges arising in the post-pandemic period, including changes in tourist behavior, rising costs, labor shortages in the sector, geopolitical tensions, and the impact of climate change. The importance of integrating safety measures into tourism policies, destination promotion, and planning is also discussed. The aim of the paper is to highlight that safety, as the foundation of trust, is a necessary condition for the long-term growth and competitiveness of the tourism industry in an era of increasing global uncertainty.