As part of a wider United Nations response to COVID-19, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has released a thematic brief on the impact the pandemic has had on tourism.
Titled “COVID-19 and Transforming Tourism”, the policy brief stressed that tourism, being among the hardest hit of all sectors by Covid-19, is an essential pillar of the SDGs and the most vulnerable workers and nations are at greatest risk.
The brief also warned 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%.
It made 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.
“It is imperative that we rebuild the tourism sector in a safe, equitable and climate friendly manner and ensure tourism regains its position as a provider of decent jobs, stable incomes and the protection of our cultural and natural heritage,” UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres said.
The UN chief further underscored 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.”
According to the brief, the impacts of the pandemic on tourism are also already placing conservation efforts in jeopardy, attributing the cutting-off of biodiversity conservation funding to the sudden fall in tourism.
It also revealed that with 90% of World Heritages Sites having closed as a result of the coronavirus, both tangible and intangible heritage is at risk in all parts of the world.
UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili posited that tourism “is a cornerstone of growth and employment, both in developed and developing economies.”
“The United Nations Secretary-General echoes the five key priority areas that UNWTO has identified for tourism to return and drive wider recovery, and both governments and the private sector now have a duty to put this plan into action,” Pololikashvili added.
The brief stressed that the crisis represents an opportunity to rethink tourism moving forward, citing five priorities for the restart of tourism.
All aimed at ensuring a more resilient, inclusive and carbon neutral sector, these priorities are:
1. Mitigate socio-economic impacts on livelihoods, particularly women’s employment and economic security.
2. Boost competitiveness and build resilience, including through economic diversification and encouragement of MSMEs.
3. Advance innovation and digital transformation of tourism
4. Foster sustainability and green growth
5. Enhanced focus on coordination, and responsible leadership.
