As part of the wider United Nations response to Covid-19, secretary general, Antonio Guterres, has released a thematic brief on the impact the pandemic has had on tourism.

Drawing on the latest data from the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the lead author of the publication, it warns that as many as 100 million direct tourism jobs are at risk, and the massive drop in export revenues from tourism could reduce global GDP by as much as 2.8 per cent.

Tourism has been among the hardest hit of all sectors by Covid-19 and no country has been unaffected, with restrictions on travel and a sudden drop in consumer demand
leading to an unprecedented fall in international tourist numbers.

The Covid-19 and Transforming Tourism policy brief from the secretary general makes clear the impact that the pandemic has had on global tourism and how this affects everything from jobs and economies to wildlife conservation and the protection of cultural heritage.

Guterres said: “It is imperative that we rebuild the tourism sector” in a “safe, equitable and climate friendly” manner and so “ensure tourism regains its position as a provider of decent jobs, stable incomes and the protection of our cultural and natural heritage”.

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