In 2020, millions of people missed chances to explore different places and embrace different cultures and customs. The world lost out on opportunities for tourism to create jobs, support businesses, and kick-start development.
“In the face of such a downturn, tourism ends the year more united and determined than ever,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, UNWTO.
The UNWTO Global Tourism Crisis Committee, created soon after the pandemic was declared, recently met for a final time in 2020. The cross-sector platform coordinates international efforts and has proven to be crucial in guiding our response to Covid-19 and informing the measures and tools for mitigating its impact on jobs and businesses.
Notwithstanding new and ongoing developments of the pandemic, the Committee is geared towards accelerating the restart of tourism, always factoring in the most recent situation of global health. UNWTO believes that harmonized, consistent travel protocols are essential for restoring confidence in international travel and getting tourism moving again. UNWTO will maintain the momentum we gained in 2020 into the new year.
Over recent months, UNWTO has made political and business leaders listen and make tourism a part of their plans. “We have emphasized the relevance of tourism to almost every part of our societies,” said Pololikashvili. “It has been reinforced through high-level, in-person visits to Member States including Portugal, Tunisia, Namibia, Brazil, Uruguay, Egypt, Italy, France, Belgium and Saudi Arabia.”
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Tourism has been given record levels of financial support and political goodwill and rewarded with public recognition. The European Commission has led the way in turning encouraging words into firm actions, most notably with its unprecedented economic support for tourism at this crucial time. Through in-person visits to leaders in the Americas, Africa and Europe, and through welcoming the Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, to address the most recent meeting of the Global Tourism Crisis Committee, we now call on governments to do more. “To show that safe international travel is not only possible but essential too,” said Pololikashvili.
News of a vaccine against the virus gives the world reason for cautious optimism. UNWTO believes that the restart of tourism – and the many millions of people who depend on it – cannot wait for mass vaccinations to become a reality. Quarantine rules for tourists ought to be rethought.
According to UNWTO’s leadership, new solutions for testing travelers before or after their journeys should be implemented. “Restrictions on travel must be eased or lifted in a responsible and coordinated manner as soon as it is safe and feasible.”
The important steps undertaken to ensure better coordination and refusing to stand still, are the precursors to prepare for the new year. “2021 could be a critical year for the restart of tourism only if we continue along this path,” said Pololikashvili.
UNWTO sees the present as a moment for directing the tourism sector towards greater sustainability and inclusivity and realizing its massive potential to deliver lasting development and change for all.
