The impacts of tourism, before, during and after the COVID pandemic: the case of Rapa Nui in the East Pacific

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution of the tourism sector on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and its interaction with social transformations before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with residents, tourism stakeholders and public authorities, complemented by participant observation and analysis of policy documents, official reports and tourism initiatives. Findings The findings show that tourism has been a key driver of social transformation on Rapa Nui, generating both pressures and opportunities. Originality/value The originality or value of this study lies in its focus on Indigenous perspectives and co-creation processes in a small, remote island context, demonstrating how crisis moments can catalyse shifts toward more locally driven and sustainable tourism models.