No time for timid leadership! The safe restart of tourism is possible

The cost of the restrictions on travel introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is there for all to see. Between January and May, the sudden and rapid fall in tourist arrivals cost an estimated USD 320 billion. This is three times greater than the impact of the Great Recession of 2007-2009 on our sector – and this is just for the first five months of the year. This was revealed by UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.

“The re-opening of borders to tourism is a welcome relief to millions who depend on the travel sector. But this alone is not enough, especially in view of recent announcements and measures which seem further and further away from the international coordination that UNWTO has been calling for since the pandemic erupted,” he said.

As he called on for stronger support from powerful leaders, he said: “In these uncertain times, people around the world need strong, clear and consistent messages. What they don’t need are policy moves which ignore the fact that only together are we stronger and able to overcome the challenges we face. Those in positions of leadership and influence have recognised the importance of tourism for jobs, economies and rebuilding trust. This is only the first step. Now, they must do everything they can to get people travelling again, following and implementing all the protocols which are part of the new reality.”