COVID-19 and Tourism

• UN report – COVID-19 and Tourism: An Update.

• Collapse of international tourism -cost the world at least $4 trillion.

• Report -jointly released by UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and UN World Tourist Organization (UNWTO).

• India – 54% drop in tourist arrivals in 2020.

• Tourism is not expected to return to pre- COVID levels until 2023.
 Cost the world -$1.7 trillion and $2.4 trillion in 2021.

• Three scenarios.
 Optimistic.
 Pessimistic.
 Uneven roll-out of vaccines. • Developing countries -majority in losses due
to the asymmetric roll-out of vaccines. • Tourism likely to pick up faster this summer

• North America and Europe.
• • Loss in tourism sector -Felt particularly by women and young people. • 100-120 million tourism jobs are at stake.
• • Recommended quick roll-out of vaccines
  globally.
  • Appreciated The EU Digital COVID Certificate
  initiative.
   Facilitate safe free movement of citizens
  in the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• • Recommended socio-economic measures to
  protect livelihoods.
• • Grim warning -some tourism-related businesses
  would not survive even after restrictions are
  removed.