2020 worst year on record for touristry, says UN World Tourism Organisation

United Nations
World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) explained that worldwide tourism has
experienced its “worst year on record” in 2020. Arrivals of international
tourists has dropped by 74% and global tourist destinations has welcomed 1
billion lesser international tourists compared to the last year of 2019 due to
an unprecedented fall in demand and widespread travel restrictions.

The recent
UNWTO report mentioned that the fall in international travel led to an
estimated loss of USD 1.3 trillion in export revenues which is more than 11
times the loss recorded during the 2009 global economic crisis.

Also read: Pandemic-hit global tourism suffers loss of $1.3 trillion in revenue

The report
said “According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, the collapse in
international travel represents an estimated loss of US$1.3 trillion in export
revenues – more than 11 times the loss recorded during the 2009 global economic
crisis. The crisis has put between 100 and 120 million direct tourism jobs at
risk, many of them in small and medium-sized enterprises”, reported ANI.

The UN
report also mentioned that because of the growing nature of the COVID-19,
several countries are now reinstating stricter travel restrictions. As per
report “These included mandatory testing, quarantines. And in some cases a
complete closure of borders, all weighing on the resumption of international
travel”.

Also read: Goa economy ‘suffering badly’ due to pause in mining, tourism: State Power Minister

“At the
same time, the gradual rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine is expected to help
restore consumer confidence, contribute to the easing travel restrictions and
slowly normalise travel during the year ahead”, report added.

UNWTO
Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “While much has been made in
making safe international travel a possibility, we are aware that the crisis is
far from over. The harmonisation, coordination and digitalisation of COVID-19
travel-related risk reduction measures, including testing, tracing and
vaccination certificates, are essential foundations to promote safe travel and
prepare for the recovery of tourism once conditions allow”, reported
ANI.

Also read: World’s top tourist destinations a sad sight as COVID-19 hits tourism

However
the latest panel of UNWTO experts produced a survey that showed a mixed outlook
for 2021. Around half of the respondents which is 45%, expected better
possibility for 2021 than previous year. 25% predicted similar performance
while 30% expected a worsening of condition in 2021.