The new global context has heightened the need for the sustainable mobility and recovery of the tourism industry. This study analyses how travel bubbles can contribute towards the sustainability and reconstruction of the tourism industry. Several examples have emerged worldwide, manifesting the strong need to create ‘safe’ routes to transform tourism. Through a theoretical approach and by drawing from previous research, official reports, and news media, this study analyses the rationale for travel bubbles and examines how they can support short-term responses to the pandemic and enhance long-term planning pertaining to tourism mobility for a sustainable future. It discusses the political, economic, psychological, socioeconomic, environmental, and hygiene impacts of travel bubbles. The study shows that sustainability can be achieved through a cooperative regional approach. It examines the challenges and opportunities of travel bubbles towards redeveloping tourism in neighbouring destinations and offers strategies to support sustainable tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as backyard tourism.