(TAN): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has released a thematic brief on the impact the pandemic has had on tourism that said 100 million direct tourism jobs are at risk.
Drawing on the latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the lead author of the publication, it warns that as many as 100 million direct tourism jobs are at risk, and the massive drop in export revenues from tourism could reduce global GDP by as much as 2.8%. The brief stresses that tourism is an essential pillar of the SDGs and the most vulnerable workers and nations are at greatest risk.
[ALSO READ: Bored working from home? Make Four Seasons Hotel Dubai your temporary office]
Tourism has been among the hardest hit of all sectors by COVID-19 and no country has been unaffected, with restrictions on travel and a sudden drop in consumer demand leading to an unprecedented fall in international tourist numbers.
The “COVID-19 and Transforming Tourism” Policy Brief from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, makes clear the impact that the pandemic has had on global tourism and how this affects everything from jobs and economies to 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”.
[ALSO READ: Brussels Airlines signs EASA charter for flying safe during pandemic]
He added 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” and at the same time allowing “people to experience some of the world’s cultural and natural riches and brings people closer to each other, highlighting our common humanity”.
It is imperative that we rebuild the tourism sector to ensure tourism regains its position as a provider of decent jobs, stable incomes and the protection of our cultural and natural heritage.
[ALSO READ: Hyatt opens Mar Monte, Santa Barbara’s ‘newest lifestyle boutique hotel’]
The brief warns that the impacts of the pandemic on tourism are already placing conservation efforts in jeopardy. Citing case studies from around the world, it warns that the sudden fall in tourism revenues has cut off funding for biodiversity conservation and, with livelihoods at risk in and around protected areas, cases of poaching and looting are expected to rise.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism touches on nearly every part of our societies and is a cornerstone of growth and employment, both in developed and developing economies.”
