This research examines the Philippine context, particularly Metro Manila and surrounding regions, during the pandemic which made it possible for budding entrepreneurs to come up with new initiatives like online food business operations by which they could earn an income despite difficult circumstances, and for consumers to purchase meals more conveniently.A survey, divided into six sections, was prepared and sent out to several small-scale food business establishments that operate in the Philippines. Majority of the respondents were female (84%), aged 26 years old and above (96%), with an average total income less than Php 100,000 (US $ 2,000) (68%), and are based in the National Capital Region (NCR) Metro, in the cities Manila and Quezon City.Based on the anchor points used in this research, the analysis is divided into three main sections: 1) Needs: needs of consumers and entrepreneurs, 2) Interventions: interventions of consumers and entrepreneurs aimed at fulfilling these needs, and 3) Evaluation of the effects of these interventions. This study looked at some of these small e-commerce food businesses in the Philippine setting, in order to understand their operational structures, strategies and challenges, and analyzed them with the usage of time-tested analytical models. It was done so not merely with the providing appropriate recommendations for their future operation and growth-oriented undertakings, but also to add to the evolving literature on the impacts and repercussions of COVID-19 crisis that has rocked the world.

The regional study collects and analyzes recent innovative risk transfer and sharing strategies used by private or public financial institutions and enterprises leading agricultural investments in Asia. It makes an illustration of the channels through which recent strategies overcome obstacles for the delivery of various financial services to agribusinesses, such as long-term loans, savings, insurance, hedging instruments, and leasing. An explanation of the context in which these strategies seem to work is be provided in addition to those constraints that currently limit further outreach to the agribusiness sector, specially to smaller agro-enterprises with growth potential where poorer rural households participate.

Conscious of the data scarcity during the COVID-19 pandemic, FAO collaborated with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Liveable Future (CLF), within the Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH), to document the impacts of, and responses to, the pandemic. To do so, it conducted a systematic literature review and implemented a survey with support from Globefish, Eurofish and the other Fish Info Networks, together with case studies of Eurofish Member States.This circular describes the findings from the FAO and CLF-supported surveys, and the literature review. The report was further enriched with a collection of work from large studies across the world.

The study, "Resilience and seizing opportunities – Small-scale fisheries and aquaculture businesses that thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic in South and Southeast Asia", attempts to evaluate and compare the pre- and post-pandemic situation and scenario of the concerned groups of the fisheries and aquaculture industry in eight countries. It reveals how these groups survived by adopting innovations in various country contexts and social settings and how the production, supply and market continued operation. The study shows how responsive the government policies and interventions were in supporting the concerned groups. It also shows the preventive measures taken to contain the mass spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the manner in which the community livelihoods were impacted by these measures. The case studies included provide evidence of the resilience of the small-scale fishers, aquaculture operators and fisheries-based business operators and illustrate how opportunities may be seized by them and others affected by similar pandemics and other natural disasters and events. The study sheds light on areas where more focus should be given so that all parties may be better prepared for future crises, have equitable and inclusive support policies, have transparency in policy responses as well as take into account gender equality. The recommendations of the study can be applied at national, regional and international level while adaptation policies, investment and action plans may be taken for the sustainabillity and resilience of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture businesses in the future.

The regional workshop “Development of Aquaculture Insurance System for Small-scale Farmers” 20–21 September 2016, Bangkok, was joined by participants from China, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. It contains two parts. The first aimed at answering the question, “What would make insurance available for and accessible to small-scale farmers?” The second was focused on exploring potential shrimp insurance schemes. The Workshop achieved the following outcomes: (1) made farmers, farmer advisers, re searchers and academics more familiar with the business and technical requirements of insurers, (2) made insurers become more familiar with the circumstances and needs of farmers, (3) confirmed that insurers continue to view aquaculture as a high-risk industry, (4) highlighted the need to incorporate risk assessment and management in the development of better farm management practices in line with the requirements of insurance, and (5) confirmed the usefulness of bundling financial products in t he development of institutional services for farmers.

Tourism in Turbulent Times presents an international review of the challenges faced by the world's largest industry and governments around the world to provide safe and enjoyable experiences for visitors. The book draws on the background and expertise of contributors from 11 countries, representing scholars, government officers and industry practitioners. It addresses traditional concerns for tourism (such as crime) as well as emerging challenges posed by the global movement of infectious disease and terrorism. These topics are examined by specialists who share a view that tourism can weather turbulent times through adopting appropriate risk management strategies and continuing to provide quality service for customers. This book differs from other texts on the market by including a large group of tourism industry practitioners as contributors. These writers practice the principles they espouse and have critical insight into the real world issues facing the tourism industry. They are also very committed to finding best practice solutions to the challenges facing their industry. The book will therefore be of particular interest to tourism managers and policy makers since it provides relevant information for the important decisions they need to make. Throwing the net wide to include medicine, law, psychology, sociology, education and hard science means that a wide range of perspectives are available to address global business, insurance, security, and policy questions in this emerging area of tourism. Shocks such as the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, SARS and the more recent Asian Tsunami have made the tourism industry very conscious of the need to protect its customers. This book highlights the positive responses made by various sectors of the industry at destination, national and international levels. It also examines the growing adventure tourism market, characterised by small operators who need good risk management practices to weather adverse global events, as well as run a financially viable small business. Such a wide set of perspectives will be very valuable to both students and tourism professionals.

Contributed papers presented earlier in a conference.