According to the UN specialised agency for tourism, the pandemic outbreak will lead to 20 to 30 per cent decline in international tourist arrivals as compared to last year.
- We are facing an unprecedented global health emergency. The containment of the pandemic is the utmost priority and the tourism sector is committed to support all measures taken to curb the outbreak.
- The COVID-19 outbreak has brought our world to a standstill with unparalleled and unforeseen impact in our lives, our economies, our societies and our livelihoods and there are growing risks of a global recession and a massive loss of jobs.
- Any assessment of the impact of this unparalleled crisis on the tourism sector is quickly surpassed by the fast-changing reality.
- We are facing an unprecedented global health emergency. The containment of the pandemic is the utmost priority and the tourism sector is committed to support all measures taken to curb the outbreak.
- The COVID-19 outbreak has brought our world to a standstill with unparalleled and unforeseen impact in our lives, our economies, our societies and our livelihoods and there are growing risks of a global recession and a massive loss of jobs.
- Any assessment of the impact of this unparalleled crisis on the tourism sector is quickly surpassed by the fast-changing reality.
- Considering the unparalleled and fast-evolving nature of crisis, it is extremely challenging to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on international tourism.
- Based on the latest developments (quarantine measures, travel bans & border closures in most of Europe, which represents 50% of international tourism, and in many countries of the Americas, Africa and the Middle East), the evolutions in Asia and the Pacific and the patterns of previous crises (2003 SARS and 2009 global economic crisis), UNWTO estimates international tourist arrivals could decline by 20% to 30% in 2020.
- This would translate into a loss of 300 to 450 US$ billion in international tourism receipts (exports) – almost one third of the US$ 1.5 trillion generated globally in the worst-case scenario.
- These estimates should be interpreted with caution in view of the magnitude, volatility and unprecedented nature of this crisis. SARS and the 2009 global economic crisis are the existing references, but this crisis is like no other.UNWTO will continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on international tourism.
2020 FORECAST – INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ARRIVALS, WORLD (MILLIONS)
2020 FORECAST – INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ARRIVALS, WORLD (% CHANGE)
2020 FORECAST – INTERNATIONAL TOURISM RECEIPTS, WORLD (US$ BILLION)
2020 FORECAST – INTERNATIONAL TOURISM RECEIPTS, WORLD (REAL CHANGE, %)
ESTIMATED GLOBAL IMPACT
- – 290 to 440 million International Tourist Arrivals
- 5 to 7 years lost in number of tourists
- – 300 to 450 US$ bn Tourism Exports (receipts)
- 1/3 of 1.5 US$ trillion lost in Tourism Exports
Estimated impact of COVID-19 on air transport in 2020
(RPKs and air passenger revenue loss), IATA
Importance of international tourism in countries with most reported cases of COVID-19 (over 5,000 cases), 24 March 2020
As of 24 March 2020, a total of 196 countries and territories have reported cases of COVID 19
SUPPORTING RECOVERY ACCORDING TO UNWTO
- What we don’t know – we don’t know when we will we see the end of this crisis.
- What we do know: we know that millions of jobs are at risk, that we need to protect the most vulnerable segments such as SMEs, self-employed, women and youth. That we need to create survival mechanisms for companies.
- We know we need strong support in navigating the unparalleled social and economic impact of COVID-19. In the immediate, we need urgent fiscal and monetary measures that help protect jobs, sustain the self-employed and support companies’ liquidity and operations and accelerate recovery in the future.
- Tourism is a major job creator, especially for more vulnerable groups – women and youth. It is also a sector with proven capacity to bounce back and multiply recovery to other sectors.
- Coordinated and strong mitigation and recovery plans to support the sector can generate massive returns across the whole economy and jobs.
INTERNATIONAL TOURISM: AN HISTORY OF CONTINUED GROWTH AND RESILIENCE
INTERNATIONAL TOURISM – GROWTH AND RESILIENCE
International Tourist Arrivals (1995-2019)
International tourism has seen continued expansion, despite occasional shocks, demonstrating the sector’s strength and resilience and benefiting all world regions.
Yet this crisis is like no other and requires strong and coordinated action
INTERNATIONAL TOURISM & PREVIOUS CRISES
International tourist arrivals in Asia Pacific during SARS and worldwide during 2009 global economic crisis, monthly growth (%)
TOURISM CAN ACCELARATE JOB CREATION…
GROWTH IN GLOBAL EMPLOYMENT, 2010-2018 (%)
After the global economic crisis, employment in all sectors grew by 11% between 2010 and 2018 while employment in accommodation and food services grew 35%
