(TAN): The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is calling for governments to abandon the concept of ‘high-risk countries’ and instead focus on how individual ‘high-risk travellers’ are treated at borders.
WTTC, which represents the global travel & tourism private sector, is urging governments around the world to shift their focus from whole countries, towards individual travellers. Instead, it says, governments around the world should redefine their whole approach to risk assessment, to revive international business and leisure travel.
Combined with a common international consensus on the metrics used to assess risk and a laser-like focus on a cost-effective, comprehensive, and rapid departure and arrival testing scheme for all travellers, could pave the way forward for the meaningful return of travel.
[ALSO READ: Emirates now has touchless self check-in kiosks at Dubai International Airport]
It would also ensure only those affected are forced to isolate, while travellers who test negative can continue to enjoy safe travels through observing hygiene protocols and mask wearing.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President and CEO, said: “Risk based on entire countries is neither effective nor productive. Redefining risk towards individual travellers instead will be key for unlocking the door to the return of safe international travel. We need to learn from past experiences and crises such as 9-11.”
“We cannot continue labelling entire countries as ‘high-risk’ which assumes everyone is infected. While the UK is currently seeing high levels of infections, clearly not all Britons are infected; the same goes for all Americans, Spaniards, or the French. The reality is much more complex. Not only does it stigmatise an entire nation, but it also halts travel and mobility when many people who test negative on departure and arrival could safely travel without exporting the virus,” she said.
[ALSO READ: InterContinental set for Morocco debut]
Guevara said we must learn to live with the virus, as it will take time for the global population to be vaccinated. “This is why WTTC has long advocated introducing a comprehensive and cost-effective test on departure and arrival for all international travellers, as a way of preventing those carrying the virus from spreading it.”
According to WTTC’s 2019 Economic Impact Report, travel and tourism contributed USD 8.9 trillion, or 10.3% towards the world’s GDP. It accounted for one in 10 global jobs, giving employment to 330 million people.
Related posts:
Tunisia, Ras Al Khaimah Sign Up For WTTC’s ‘Safe Travel’ Stamp Programme
Blanket travel bans can’t be answer to new strain of coronavirus: WTTC
Travel & tourism sector can’t afford to wait for Covid-19 vaccines, say global agencies
Covid impact on tourism: Global economy may lose more than USD 4 trillion
