International tourist arrivals expected to fall by 20-30% in 2020


Maldives
PUBLISHED March 30, 2020

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released an updated report consisting of estimated effects due to global crisis COVID-19 on international tourism.

Taking into account the restrictions imposed to the travel and tourism industry across the world, UNWTO expects that international tourist arrivals will be lessened by 20% to 30% in 2020 when compared with 2019 figures. However, UNWTO stresses that these numbers are based on the latest developments as the global community faces up to an unprecedented social and economic challenge and should be interpreted with caution in view of the extreme uncertain nature of the current crisis.

According to the UN agency, this fall could translate into a decline in international tourism exports of between US$300-450 billion, almost one third of the US$ 1.5 trillion generated in 2019. Considering past market trends, between five and seven years worth of growth will be lost to COVID-19.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said, "Tourism is among the hardest hit of all economic sectors. However, tourism is also united in helping to address this immense health emergency our first and utmost priority while working together to mitigate the impact of the crisis, particularly on employment, and to support the wider recovery efforts through providing jobs and driving economic welfare worldwide."

In addition, UNWTO also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and ensuring the sector is made a central part of recovery efforts.

From the beginning of COVID-19 crisis, UNWTO has been working closely with wider United Nations system, including directly alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) to guide the sector, issuing key recommendations for both high-level leaders and individual tourists. To better consolidate and strengthen the response, the Organization has established the Global Tourism Crisis Committee.

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