The latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows just how brutal the hit on global tourism has been, travel restrictions imposed in response to the pandemic has caused a 70 percent fall in international arrivals so far this year. UNWTO describes this as an “unprecedented decline” and AccomNews asks is there any hope of a rebound in 2021?
Overall, UNWTO’s panel of experts foresees a rebound in international tourism in 2021, but mostly in the third quarter. However, around 20 percent of its experts suggest the rebound will not occur until 2022. Travel restrictions are seen as the main barrier to recovery, along with slow virus containment and low consumer confidence. The lack of coordinated response among countries to ensure harmonized protocols and coordinated restrictions, as well as the deteriorating economic environment were also identified by experts as important obstacles for recovery.
Reacting to the UNWTO data, Industry body Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) CEO Michael Johnson told AccomNews: “We anticipate – and hope – some international travel will resume in 2021, however, this will only be from low risk countries such as New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and some of the Pacific Islands. Unfortunately, at this stage it looks like we will be waiting until 2022 to travel to popular tourist locations such as the US and Europe.”
The UNWTO World Tourism Barometer revealed that international arrivals plunged 81 percent in July and 79 percent in August, these are usually two of the busiest months of the year and peak of the Northern Hemisphere summer season. The drop translates into a loss of US$ 730 billion in export revenues from international tourism – more than eight times the loss experienced on the back of the 2009 global economic and financial crisis.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili warned: “This unprecedented decline is having dramatic social and economic consequences and puts millions of jobs and businesses at risk. This underlines the urgent need to safely restart tourism, in a timely and coordinated manner.”
Demand for travel remains largely subdued due to the ongoing uncertainty about the pandemic and low confidence. Based on the latest trends, UNWTO expects an overall drop close to 70 percent for the whole of 2020.
Meanwhile, AccomNews readers, Accom providers and tourism operators seek a buoyant and free-flowing domestic market by the end of the year!
Mr Johnson agrees: “While we look forward to the return of some international tourism in 2021, hotels will be very reliant on domestic tourism and the return of corporate travel interstate to drive our recovery. To do this we need to have all borders opened by Christmas – which is currently the sentiment of the National Cabinet. This will give Australians certainty regarding bookings for 2021”.
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