Shutdowns of global travel and trade in the midst of raging coronavirus pandemic have cost the world $320 billion in tourism exports, and the recovery appears to be a slow-paced process.
Data from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that 100 to 120 million direct tourism jobs are at risk in the midst of unprecedented lockdowns, drop in travel and tourism activities.
Tourism employs one in every ten people in the world, as the industry sparks economic activities across a vast array of areas from restaurants to transportation and hotels.
Now, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) forecasts a loss of 1.5 to 2.8 per cent of global GDP – a massive slump for millions of people around the world.
“It has been so painful to see how tourism has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic”, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in an update on tourism situation.
In the first five months of this year, international tourist arrivals fell by more than half .
“Many are in the informal economy or in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which employ a high proportion of women and young people”, Guterres said, according to a UN news report.
Both the cities and rural areas have lost huge earning opportunities as influx of tourists becomes a thing of the past this year. Among those particularly hurt include tribal, marginalized people and women, who rely on small-scale businesses to earn their livelihood.
“Let us ensure tourism regains its position as a provider of decent jobs, stable incomes and the protection of our cultural and natural heritage,” the UN chief says of the way forward.
