INTERNATIONAL. As travel restrictions ease in some countries, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released new data showing the dramatic impact of COVID-19 on the sector.
International tourism was down -97% year-on-year in April this year, the UNWTO has reported. This follows a -55% decline in March and means international tourist arrivals dropped -44% during the first four months of the year. THE UNWTO estimates this translates into a loss of US$195 billion in tourism receipts.
The organisation has published three possible scenarios for the international tourism sector in 2020, depending on when travel restrictions are gradually lifted and borders start to reopen.
If restrictions continue to be eased in July, a -58% year-on-year fall in international tourism is expected for the year. However, if borders don’t open in earnest until December, the year-on-year drop will be -78%.
The UNWTO said this will result in a loss of revenues for the tourism sector of between US$910 billion and US$1.2 trillion. It also means between 100 million and 120 million jobs in the industry are directly at risk as a result of the pandemic.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commented: “The sudden and massive fall in tourist numbers threatens jobs and economies. It is vital, therefore, that the restart of tourism is made a priority and managed responsibly, protecting the most vulnerable and with health and safety as the sector’s number one concern.”
The organisation also welcomed the creation of travel corridors and enhanced safety protocols as countries reopen to tourism. “Until tourism’s restart is underway everywhere, UNWTO again calls for strong support for the sector in order to protect jobs and businesses. We, therefore, welcome the steps undertaken by both the European Union and individual countries including France and Spain to support tourism economically and build the foundations for recovery,” Pololikashvili added.
