by Martina Fuchs
GENEVA, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The chief of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) forecast that global tourism, being hit hard by the international travel restrictions put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic, will rebound in the third quarter (Q3) of 2021.
"The COVID-19 pandemic had a sudden, unexpected and unprecedented impact on tourism," Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) 2020 held on Wednesday. "We do expect international tourism to return to growth. As a sector, tourism has consistently demonstrated its resilience and ability to adapt and bounce back."
"UNWTO's panel of experts foresees a rebound in international tourism in 2021, mostly in the third quarter of 2021. However, around 20 percent of experts suggest the rebound could occur only in 2022."
The UNWTO headquartered in Madrid is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
HEAVY LOSSES
According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals dropped by 70 percent during the first eight months of 2020 when compared with 2019. In July and August, which traditionally are the two busiest months of the year, international arrivals plunged 81 percent and 79 percent, respectively.
"This fall has been due to a combination of both, the introduction of travel restrictions and a sudden fall in consumer confidence. UNWTO has made addressing both core challenges a priority," Pololikashvili stressed.
The drop until August represents 700 million fewer arrivals compared to the same period last year and translates into a loss of 730 billion U.S. dollars in export revenues from international tourism, according to the UNWTO's website.
This is more than eight times the loss experienced following the 2008 global financial crisis.
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned last month that the airline industry is forecast to suffer net losses of 118 billion U.S. dollars this year, and cut these losses to 38 billion U.S. dollars in 2021.
The industry body, however, said that vaccines and testing are expected to support global travel at 50 percent of 2019 levels next year, with significant gains later in the year.
Pololikashvili said that the UNWTO has led the Global Tourism Crisis Committee, bringing together key United Nations agencies, the chairs of its Executive Council and Regional Commissions, and private sector leaders, in order to formulate a sector-wide response to the pandemic.
It also released a series of guidelines and recommendations to support jobs and economies in a bid to restart tourism.
"Governments have responded quickly and strongly with the level and coverage of measures stepping up over time. Most countries have adopted stimulus packages, fiscal and monetary measures, along with job support measures," he told Xinhua.
"UNWTO has stressed the importance of lifting or easing travel restrictions in a coordinated manner as soon as it is safe to do so. Collaboration between governments and between governments and the private sector is essential for building up trust and confidence in travel and tourism again."
ADAPTING TO NEW REALITY
Pololikashvili highlighted that the tourism sector had led the way in adapting to the new reality.
"Across every part of the sector, new and enhanced health and hygiene protocols have been introduced, and many of these are likely to be carried over once the pandemic is over, not least in order to maintain confidence in travel."
He also said that COVID-19 will change the way people travel in the future.
"Growing numbers of consumers are making more conscious tourism choices, about where they go, how they behave and how their journeys impact other people and the planet, and this is set to continue," he said.
UNWTO has also called for the digitalization of the tourism business and using technologies such as location-based services, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and blockchain to make travel more attractive, inclusive, and sustainable. Enditem
