Turismólogos no olho do furacão: o cotidiano do agente de viagens no período da pandemia da Covid-19.

Abstract

On December 31, 2019, the world stage registered the trigger of, until then, the biggest pandemic of the 21st century; First identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan, in the province of Ubei, China, the Covid-19 virus spread throughout the world in a matter of months, drastically changing our way of life, and especially the direction of tourism on a global scale . Throughout the acute process of the pandemic that led us to social isolation, countless people had to adapt to new work formats, as in my case; and many others lost their jobs. The experience of living through a pandemic and being a Tourism graduate, working with companies in the field, also aroused interest in Travel Agency. Of vital importance to consumers of travel services who have been affected by cancellations of flights, travel packages and similar services during the pandemic period. This qualitative work brings the reports of travel agents, including the researcher's own experience, approaching an autoethnography, to reflect on the experiences, feelings, sensations, criticisms, fears, anxieties and the sudden need to learn to deal with with problems faced by travel agents, in a pandemic period. In the form of a timeline, the text analyzes the processes that emerged and took shape. This research is composed as a compilation of reports that guide the reader to understand how an event combined with the lack of preparation and training and support of professionals linked to the client's needs, can highlight the lack of qualified technical labor to face the most challenges, especially in times of crisis.