The global body expects a massive drop to the tune of 25% in international travel, equivalent to three months of no travel, this year
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), a global association representing the private industry in the travel and tourism sector globally, predicts a potential job loss of about 50 million in the travel and tourism sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global body expects a massive drop to the tune of 25% in international travel, equivalent to three months of no travel, this year. This drop, WTTC expects, will reflect a corresponding job reduction in the industry of 12 to 14% this year.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, said, “WTTC figures show the stark impact on the travel and tourism sector of the present Covid-19 outbreak with analysis now suggesting that up to 50 million jobs are at risk in the sector globally. When the time is right WTTC and the global private sector will be ready to help and support the government and countries to recover.”
WTTC has also asked countries to be prepared with their recovery plan so as to minimise the impact. WTTC has recommended measures like simplification of travel facilitation, removing unnecessary barriers to travel, friendly fiscal policies and incentives for the industry.