INTERNATIONAL. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has released a new policy brief and video about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on tourism. He said that the huge drop in revenues from tourism could reduce global GDP by as much as -2.8%.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlights the scale of the tourism crisis
As reported, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has said that international tourist numbers could decline by -58% to -78% year-on-year in 2020, and visitor spending from US$1.5 trillion in 2019 to between US$310 and US$570 billion. That places over 100 million direct tourism jobs at risk, it added.
The Tourism and COVID-19 Policy Brief issued today noted that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developing Countries (LDCs), including many African nations, are most vulnerable due to their reliance on tourism for jobs and economic growth.
The report said: “No country has escaped the decimation of its tourism sector, from Italy where tourism accounts for 6% of the country’s GDP to Palau where it generates almost 90% of all exports. This crisis is a major shock for developed economies and an emergency for the most vulnerable people and developing countries. In Africa, the sector represented 10% of all exports in 2019.”
It added that women, youth and workers in the informal economy are most at risk from job losses and business closures across the tourism sector.
The Policy Brief underlined how the crisis affects jobs, economies, wildlife conservation and the protection of cultural heritage.
Guterres said: “It is imperative that we rebuild the tourism sector in a safe, equitable and climate friendly manner and so ensure tourism regains its position as a provider of decent jobs, stable incomes and the protection of our cultural and natural heritage.”
The UN Secretary-General further underscored that tourism is one of the world’s most important economic sectors, providing “livelihoods to hundreds of millions more”, while it “boosts economies and enables countries to thrive”.
The Policy Brief outlined five priorities for the restart of tourism, aimed at ensuring a more resilient, inclusive and carbon neutral sector. These priorities are:
- Mitigate socio-economic impacts on livelihoods, particularly women’s employment and economic security.
- Boost competitiveness and build resilience, including through economic diversification and encouragement of MSMEs.
- Advance innovation and digital transformation of tourism
- Foster sustainability and green growth
- Enhanced focus on coordination, and responsible leadership.
