The latest World Tourism Organization Travel Restrictions Report has revealed that 40% of all destinations worldwide have now eased the restrictions they placed on international tourism in response to COVID-19.
This, the report stated, is in line with the project of a responsible restart of tourism and the adaption to the new reality.
According to the United Nations specialized agency for tourism which has been monitoring global responses to the pandemic from the start of the crisis, this latest outlook, recorded on 19 July, is up from 22% of destinations that had eased restrictions on travel by 15 June and the 3% previously observed by 15 May. This confirms the trend of a slow but continuous adaptation and responsible restart of international tourism.
In breaking down the figure, this latest edition of the UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report disclosed that of the 87 destinations that have now 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. In addition, the report showed that 115 destinations (53% of all destinations worldwide) continue to keep their borders completely closed for tourism.
A further breakdown of the UNWTO report showed that destinations with a higher dependency on tourism are more likely to be easing restrictions on travel: Of the 87 destinations that have eased restrictions recently, 20 are Small Island Developing States (SIDS), many of which depend on tourism as a central pillar of employment, economic growth and development. The report also shows that around half (41) of all those destinations that have eased restrictions are in Europe, confirming the leading role of the region for the responsible restart of tourism.
Looking at the 115 destinations that continue to have their borders completely closed to international tourism, the report finds that a majority (88) have been completely closed their borders for international tourism for more than 12 weeks.
Speaking on the development, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said at this rate, global tourism can soon gain people’s trust and confidence which is an essential foundation as stakeholders work together to adapt to the new reality facing the sector.
“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. 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,” he said.
Recall that the cost related to the travel restrictions introduced in response to COVID-19 has been massive. Earlier this week, UNWTO released the data on the impact of the pandemic on tourism, both in terms of lost tourist arrivals and lost revenues. The data showed that already by the end of May, the pandemic had led to $320 billion in lost revenues, already three times the cost of the 2009 Global Economic Crisis.
