The Legal Impacts of COVID-19 in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry

The Impact of COVID-19 on Competition Law and Policy in the Tourism Sector Bertold Bär-Bouyssière 1 I. Introduction; II. The Old World: Pre-COVID-19; II.1. Methodology; II.2. The Pillars of Competition Law; II.2.1. Antitrust; II.2.2. Mergers; II.2.3. State Aid; III. The New World: Post-COVID-19; III.1. The Competitive Environment; III.2. The Role of Competition Law and Policy; III.2.1. State Aid; III.2.2. Mergers; II.2.3. Antitrust; IV. Conclusion. I. Introduction If we have one certainty in these uncertain days of this new post-COVID-19 world, it is that many things will be different compared to the “old days”. Fans of Game of Thrones might say: “ Winter is coming and it will be long ” 2 . However, while there will be challenges, humankind will adapt and overcome them – as it always has. The way Prof. Carlos Torres, with the help of many others, has managed to produce a three-day international web conference with a large number of speakers is an example of mankind’s ability to adjust to unforeseen challenges. And it worked. The author of the present article is very grateful for having been invited to participate in this venture, which he enjoyed – and still enjoys – tremendously. The French newspaper Le Figaro recently published an article about Albert Camus’ short novel “L’été” (The Summer), which praises, in poetic terms, the unbelievable beauty of the Mediterranean world, just as it was created. Camus also warned us not to listen to ideologists who predict that the world is coming to an end. It does not. For those who believe in the Higher Spheres, we are still loved by the Merciful. Christ the Redeemer will not disappear from the Corcovado mountain in Rio’s Tijuca Forest. Materialists might seek inspiration from Ernst 1 Dr. Bertold Bär-Bouyssière, LL.M. Rechtsanwalt & Attorney-at-Law (New York). The author is a partner in the international law firm DLA Piper. The views expressed herein are his personal views. They do not represent legal advice. 2 David Benioff & D. B. Weiss (writers), Brian Kirk (director), Lord Snow (Season 01 Episode 03), Game of Thrones (2011).