Plummeting relations between the United States and China hit a new low after the tit-for-tat closures of consulates in Houston and Chengdu last week. Though the closures are mostly symbolic, any détente between Washington and Beijing looks even more unrealistic now. It is difficult to guess what comes next.

The coronavirus pandemic has thrown all of mass tourism’s ills into stark relief. As travel starts up again and places begin to reopen, this is a good time to pause and ask: Should business-as-usual be salvaged at any cost, or is there a chance to create a smaller, slower and more sustainable tourism model?