Global tourism recovery faces grave challenges

Expert says at least two years needed for a pickup tied to efforts against virus

As countries across the world have cautiously started reopening their economies ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, global tourism has seen a glimmer of hope but still faces an uphill struggle.

The restart of tourism is under way globally. According to the latest analysis from the World Tourism Organization, or UNWTO, a United Nations specialized agency, 40 percent of all destinations worldwide have eased restrictions they placed on international tourism in response to the coronavirus and adapted to the new reality. As an expert says the industry will take at least two years to recover.

This latest outlook, recorded on July 19, is up from 22 percent of destinations that had eased restrictions on travel by June 15 and the 3 percent previously observed by May 15.

"It confirms the trend of a slow but continuous adaptation and responsible restart of international tourism," the report said.

However, of the 87 destinations that have eased travel restrictions, just four have completely lifted all restrictions, while 83 have eased them while keeping some measures such as the partial closure of borders in place.

Meanwhile, the report said that 115 destinations, 53 percent of all destinations worldwide, continue to keep their borders completely closed for tourism.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said that the restart of tourism can be undertaken responsibly and in a way that safeguards public health while also supporting businesses and livelihoods.

"As destinations continue to ease restrictions on travel, international cooperation is of paramount importance," Pololikashvili said. "This way, global tourism can gain people's trust and confidence, essential foundations as we work together to adapt to the new reality we now face."

The latest "UNWTO World Tourism Barometer" showed that the near-complete lockdown imposed to contain the pandemic led to a 98 percent fall in international tourist numbers in May globally when compared to 2019. The gauge also showed a 56 percent year-on-year drop in tourist arrivals between January and May. This translated into a fall of 300 million tourists and $320 billion lost in international tourism receipts－more than three times the loss during the global economic crisis of 2009.

Tourism has been a pillar industry for the economies of many European countries, which have eased coronavirus lockdowns trying to save the summer tourism season. But many countries have seen a rebound in virus cases and the pace of reopenings is faltering.

Blow to quick revival hope

For instance, Germany last Friday declared nearly all of Spain, including the tourist island of Mallorca, a coronavirus risk region following a spike in cases there. This is a blow to Spain's hopes for a quick revival of mass tourism.

Separately, the British government reimposed a 14-day quarantine for travelers from France and the Netherlands from last Saturday, sparking a dash for home by many of the estimated 160,000 British holidaymakers currently in France.

Eduardo Santander, executive director of the European Travel Commission, said that there is still a fragmented picture across Europe with almost every country establishing its own rules and schedules for reopening, which will hinder the revival of the tourism sector.

"While it is true to say that we expect a recovery in 2021, it will take at least two further years for the world tourism economy to return to 2019 levels, given the interwoven nature of the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus," he said.

In Asia, countries that rely on tourism have similar experiences. On Monday, Thailand said its economy suffered its worst contraction in more than two decades, shrinking 12.2 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, according to the Office of National Economic and Social Development Council.

Xu Xiaolei, the chief brand officer for China Youth Travel Service, said that China's domestic tourism is reopening gradually, as the country has effectively curbed the coronavirus. But its inbound and outbound tourism is still halted and is unlikely to see a revival this year.

"As long as the battle against the coronavirus is on, it would be difficult for destinations to attract international arrivals, which requires the restoring of international transportation links and the assurance of safety for tourists to travel," he said.