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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