Posts Tagged :

virginia messina

WTTC Expresses Condolences to the People of Haiti

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WTTC Expresses Condolences to the People of Haiti

London, United Kingdom, August 17, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President WTTC said: “The thoughts of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and its Members are with those who have been affected by the terrible hurricane in Haiti which has taken so many lives, and devasted thousands of families.

“We send our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of all those affected, and a message of sympathy to the Government.

“WTTC and the global Travel & Tourism sector stand beside the people of Haiti and its government during this difficult time.”

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC: UK Government Should Pay for Expensive PCR Tests

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WTTC: UK Government Should Pay for Expensive PCR Tests

London, United Kingdom, August 11, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) says the government should bear the cost of hugely expensive and unnecessary PCR tests for fully jabbed citizens, which are deterring Britons from travelling.

Over the weekend, the UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid requested the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) step in to investigate ‘excessive’ pricing and ‘exploitative practices’ among PCR Covid test firms.

This follows widespread reports of vast differences paid by travellers for PCR tests by different companies.

Currently, the cost of PCR tests vary enormously between providers, with the average costing around £75. However, some firms are offering express PCR test results within 90 minutes at a cost of up to £400.

This makes UK PCR tests among the costliest in Europe – partly due to the 20 per cent VAT charge applied on top.

Now WTTC, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, says it’s time the government stepped up to pay for people’s PCR tests in full if they are fully jabbed.

This would remove the huge financial burden, which is depressing demand for travel, effectively halting the revival of international travel.

Genomic sequencing data from PCR tests is harvested by the government to rapidly identify variants of concern, understand transmission and slow the spread, however WTTC challenges why consumers should have to pay for this.

The global tourism body believes if the government won’t pick up the bill for PCR tests, it should at the very least replace the need for PCR Day two tests from green and amber countries with affordable and effective antigen tests, for fully vaccinated travellers. As in other countries, only those testing positive should need to take a PCR test.

Virginia Messina, WTTC Senior Vice President and Acting CEO, said: “For many people – especially families and small businesses on a budget – the crippling added cost of the unnecessary PCR tests makes the difference between being able to travel or not.

“It’s clear that many British adults simply can’t afford to travel overseas at all if they have to pay the excessive cost of PCR tests.

“More affordable antigen tests, with PCR tests for those who do test positive, will help keep travellers safe and make taking a trip overseas within the budget of most people.

“But if the government wants extra information for genomic sequencing – they should pay for it. If they don’t pay, then consumers will vote with their feet and avoid international travel altogether, further damaging the already struggling UK Travel & Tourism sector.

“At the very least, we support the investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to look into the excessive pricing of PCR tests which is deterring the revival of international travel.

“But unless the government sees sense and accepts the financial responsibility for PCR tests for the fully vaccinated, WTTC fears the UK Travel & Tourism sector is going to continue to buckle while demand for travel remains depressed.”

According to research by WTTC knowledge partner, YouGov, carried out earlier this summer*, almost half of British adults (47 per cent) viewed the financial costs of COVID-19 tests as a main barrier to international travel.

The research also found worries over the cost of tests were placed even ahead of personal health concerns, which came in at 34 per cent.

Meanwhile, more than half (53 per cent) of British adults said the cost of PCR testing will make a significant impact on their budget if they were to travel abroad this year.

Last week WTTC also called upon the UK government to abandon the confusing and damaging traffic light system and replace it with green and red list categories.

These more easily understandable rules, for double-jabbed and unvaccinated travellers, would let consumers know exactly where they stand to make informed decisions about where to travel.

WTTC says under its plans, returning UK visitors would only need an affordable antigen test, with additional costly PCR tests reserved for those who tested positive.

Unvaccinated visitors would continue to take a test on departure, as well as a PCR test on Day two of their return.

WTTC has helped to spearhead the coordinated international response to the impact of the pandemic upon the global Travel & Tourism sector – which has so far cost 62 million jobs in the sector and suffered a loss of almost US$4.3 trillion.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Calls Upon UK Government to Remove Traffic Light System

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WTTC Calls Upon UK Government to Remove Traffic Light System

London, United Kingdom, August 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council has called upon the UK government to abandon the confusing and damaging traffic light system and replace it with a simpler and easier to understand list of green and red countries.

WTTC, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, says the move would, at a stroke, simplify a system which has become steadily discredited over recent months.

The current scheme has left both holidaymakers and businesses wrong footed, out of pocket and has eroded consumer confidence to travel.

Virginia Messina, WTTC Senior Vice President and Acting CEO, said: “It’s time the government removed the ambiguity by abandoning the confusing and damaging traffic light system and replacing it with a simple system with green and red categories and clear rules for the vaccinated and unvaccinated, so travellers know exactly where they stand. 

“While the rhetoric has changed to a more positive note, what we need is action.

“We need to provide clarity across the UK Travel & Tourism sector, which has been crying out for the present highly unpredictable system to be dropped, having brought international travel from the UK to its knees.

“The UK should now open its doors not just to fully vaccinated travellers from the US and the EU, but to double-jabbed visitors from all over the world too – showing we’re open for business and ready to welcome all safe travellers.”

WTTC says the government needs to significantly widen the green list so fully-vaccinated UK citizens can get their right back to travel safely around the world and welcome leisure and business travellers alike.

Returning UK visitors also need the day two PCR test to be replaced with an easy-to-use antigen test, like in other countries, with PCR tests only for positive cases.

Meanwhile, unvaccinated visitors should continue needing to take a test on departure, as well as a PCR test on Day 2 of their return.

WTTC urges coordination with and reciprocity from other countries so that the rules are applied equally and fairly to ensure maximum ease of international mobility for travellers.

The global tourism body believes that re-establishing the freedom of movement around the world is essential to ensure international coordination at every level, underpinned by a data driven, risk-based approach.

Harmonisation would restore international mobility, reduced protocols for vaccinated travellers, the importance of global vaccine recognition, as well as the adoption of ‘digital health passes’.

WTTC says the restoration of safe international travel could be achieved by following its four fundamental guidelines to restore international mobility while safeguarding public health:

  • Appropriately reduced protocols for vaccinated travellers, including no need for testing or quarantine for those fully vaccinated. Global recognition for international travel of all vaccines authorised for use and deemed safe and effective by the WHO or by the WHO recognised SRAs.
  • A data driven, risk-based and internationally harmonised approach to re-establishing freedom of movement, that is consistent across countries, easy to communicate and clearly understood by travellers.
  • Global adoption of ‘digital health passes’ which enable travellers to easily obtain and verify their vaccination status, negative COVID test result or natural immunity from a previous infection. These must work with existing border control and travel operator systems accepted by all countries. Digital verification of a traveller’s COVID status prior to travel will avoid lengthy and unsafe queues in transport hubs and terminals.
  • Continued implementation of high-quality health and safety standards throughout all areas of the Travel & Tourism sector, including continued adoption of the WTTC’s Safe Travel Protocols and Safe Travel Stamp, with the continued wearing of face masks in crowded and enclosed areas, as well as on all forms of public transport.

WTTC advocates the full implementation of these proportionate and responsible guidelines for travel over the next few months, as many travel restrictions begin easing and major travel markets begin to reopen.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Lack of Inbound Travel Continues to Hamper UK Economic Revival

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Lack of Inbound Travel Continues to Hamper UK Economic Revival - TRAVELINDEXLondon, United Kingdom, July 28, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The UK’s economic revival is being hampered by the lack of inbound travel while flights to amber list countries take off, says the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The warning comes from the global tourism body, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector.

New data collected by travel and analytics firm and WTTC knowledge partners, reveals the highest week-on-week percentage increases in tickets booked were to Germany, which were up by 113%; to Croatia up by 69%; Sweden by 68%; Portugal by 65% and Albania, up by 64%.

The data shows airline tickets booked for international trips out of the UK increased an average of 24% in the week to 13th July, compared to the previous week.

Weekly flight tickets for future travel from the UK to traditional destinations have exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with Greece the most popular destination, up 211% compared to 2019.

The Bahamas follows closely, with tickets up 161% on pre-pandemic levels. Croatia has also reached pre-pandemic weekly ticketing levels in the last week (107%) while tickets for travel to Spain, which reached 88% of 2019 levels, are fast increasing.

While this was good news for land-locked Brits, desperate to enjoy a much-need summer holiday break, the British economy which relies on international visitor spend will have been left in the doldrums by the lack of reciprocal inbound travel.

Based on 2019 levels and despite the rise in domestic holidays, the lack of inbound international visitors through July, due to concern over rising coronavirus cases and the UK government’s strict quarantine rules, could rob the UK economy of a staggering £639 million each day.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President WTTC, said: “The UK’s economic recovery is going to continue to be hampered by the lack of inbound international visitors while UK travellers are leaving the UK in increasing numbers.

“Whilst staycations are helping boost the economy, it is not nearly enough to replace the £639 million which is being lost every day.

“If the situation continues, the UK will lose out on much needed revenues which international travel provides, benefitting every level of the economy far beyond the Travel & Tourism sector.

“If every day travel is curbed, more cash-strapped Travel & Tourism businesses face even greater strain pushing them to the brink of bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Europe enjoys the financial benefits of British travellers returning to their markets.”

Juan Gómez Garcia, ForwardKeys Senior Insight Expert, said: “It’s reassuring to see the UK issued tickets increase for summer travel, the question remains – will those figures manage to surpass pre-pandemic levels in those destinations?”

According to WTTC’s 2021 Economic Impact Report (EIR) international visitor spend in 2019, before the pandemic struck, added a staggering £35.6 billion to the UK economy, or 4.9% of total exports.

This slumped to £10.1 billion in 2020 as the impact of travel restrictions wreaked havoc around the world, contributing to just 1.7% of total exports. This represented an eye-watering collapse of 71.6%, or £25.5 billion (need the figure in pounds, sterling).

WTTC has recently revealed that international Travel & Tourism industry leaders have backed their four new guidelines to restore international travel safely to save the millions of jobs and livelihoods which depend upon the sector, while providing a boost for the global economic recovery.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Report Provides Framework for Destination Stewardship

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WTTC Report Provides Framework for Destination Stewardship

London, United Kingdom, July 23, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today launched a major new report which reveals how destinations can grow responsibly, using the Destination Stewardship model.

The report was launched in partnership with the Travel Foundation and the European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI) at NHL Stenden University, in the Netherlands.

‘Towards Destination Stewardship: Achieving Destination Stewardship through scenarios & a Governance Diagnostics framework’ lays out how destinations can balance the needs of visitors and residents, with the involvement of both the public and private sector.

Destination Stewardship is based on the responsible use of shared or ‘common pool’ resources, which provide diminished benefits if each individual participant or group pursues their own self-interest.

The WTTC report offers scenarios and ways forward for organisations such as Tourism Ministries and Destination Management Organisations that seek to better understand how changes in governance structures could support greater destination stewardship.

It presents four Destination Stewardship scenarios, based on varying levels of engagement from the public and private sector, which show how differing levels of support can produce different outcomes with the aim of creating a commonsense roadmap towards greater stewardship.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President and Acting CEO, WTTC said: “The suspension of much recent Travel & Tourism activity due to the pandemic has enabled destinations to rethink their approach to how they look after their destinations and refocus on sustainability issues and smarter tourism development.

“WTTC believes this major new report points a way forward for the Travel & Tourism sector following the growing interest in Destination Stewardship, which has been accelerated during the COVID-19 crisis. 

“There has similarly been a rising call for social inclusion, new enabling technologies, a growing need for resilience and increasing governmental interest in destination governance, so this report comes at just the right time.

“We believe this important and timely report will allow relevant stakeholders to explore how more responsible Destination Stewardship will work for them as the world begins to gradually reopen.” 

Destination stewardship requires a shared understanding of the common good, and effective platforms for collaboration with shared objectives and measurements of success that go beyond traditional growth metrics, such as visitor arrivals and overall spend.

These new models of collaboration must deliver on market expectations while at the same time also supporting the needs of host communities.

Maya Janssen, Managing Director Insights & Marketing Strategy, Amsterdam & Partners said: “In Amsterdam, our approach aligns very well with this report. Amsterdam&partners is the connector that brings together city authorities, inhabitants, industry, and cultural institutions. We have built good relations and trust, but our 2025 ambition and vision redesigning the visitor economy of Amsterdam requires us to also build new institutional mechanisms to influence change.”

Graham Harper, PATA Sustainability & Social Responsibility, Special Advisor said: “I would like to emphasise how incredibly important this report is. We’ve seen much rhetoric and a new hope for tourism to build back better but we cannot expect this to happen if we, as an industry, simply fall back to our old ways. New models are needed and this report points the way.”

Timothy O´Donoghue, Principal, Riverwind Foundation Jackson Hole said: “This report will inform discussions that are occurring across the world to determine the ideal destination governance, based on local contexts. We need new and effective structures that bring balance and community engagement to the heart of tourism development and management.”

The report lists the most important triggers of Destination Stewardship, from managing supply and demand, destination governance, sustainability, the evolving visitor economy and resilience to social inclusion.

Barriers to Destination Stewardship, includes lack of a clear mandate, clashing cultures and agendas, insufficient knowledge and data, as well as a fragmented Travel & Tourism sector.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Responds to Relaxing of Restrictions Across UK

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WTTC Responds to Relaxing of Restrictions Across UK

London, United Kingdom, July 22, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Virginia Messina, WTTC Senior Vice President, said: “Today we should reflect on how hard won our newly re-found ‘freedoms’ are, which have been curbed for the best part of 18 months as together we have fought against the pandemic – at huge social, economic and personal cost.

“We know it will come as a sigh of relief that our lives are beginning to return to normal, albeit with mask-wearing where appropriate, to continue prioritizing public safety.

“However, while the domestic holiday market is reaping the benefits of ‘Freedom Day’, with staycations booming, we are not out of the woods yet.

“International travel remains either off limits or frustratingly difficult for many. This means the door to significant overseas travel still remains effectively closed, especially following the new ‘amber list-plus status’ for France which caused such chaos last week.

“We need international travel; economically, socially and emotionally. Our pent-up desire to travel remains undimmed, and we must take advantage of the hugely successful vaccine rollout to safely resume it.

“We hope the UK government will extend these revived domestic ‘freedoms’ to include the freedom to travel safely internationally, so we can reconnect with the world and harness all the benefits that it brings to us as individuals, and collectively to the Travel & Tourism sector and the country.”

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Release Key Guidelines for Prevention of Illegal Wildlife Trade

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WTTC Release Key Guidelines for Prevention of Illegal Wildlife Trade

Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 20, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released major new guidelines outlining how the global Travel & Tourism sector can work together to tackle illegal wildlife trade (IWT). Illicit market is valued between US$8 billion and US$23 billion per year COVID-19 led to a significant decrease in funding for conservation and an increase in poaching activities

The new guidelines from WTTC, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, with support from Animondial, a key advisor to the global travel industry on animal welfare in tourism, aim to help interpret the ‘12 Commitments’ of its game-changing Buenos Aires Declaration.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

The declaration, which was launched at WTTC’s Global Summit in Argentina, showed how coordinated commitment and action could combat the illegal trade in wildlife (IWT) and unveiled its Zero Tolerance Policy.

According to the guidelines, travellers often participate, albeit unwittingly, in the illicit movement of animals, plants, products made from them – and of wild species which are threatened, endangered, and protected by national or international law.

Tourism thrives in every corner of the world. But the challenge is balancing tourism with fragile environments where wildlife is at risk and animals are held and exploited in captivity.

And as demand for the legal trade in wildlife and their products increases, so rises IWT. This illicit market is valued between a staggering US$8 billion and US$23 billion per year with over 38,000 plant and animal species threatened by overexploitation and extinction. Yet, wildlife is worth more alive than dead- requiring us to take action.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President WTTC, said: “The World Travel & Tourism Council and its Members are determined to help in the fight to eradicate the scourge of illegal trade in wildlife.

“As a sector, Travel & Tourism has a responsibility to tackle this appalling activity which causes misery to countless animals, putting entire species and ecosystems at risk.

“We believe these new guidelines will help businesses around the world in their fight against this corrupt and shameful practice and we renew and reinforce our commitment first made in WTTC’s game-changing Buenos Aires Declaration.”

John Scanlon, Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime Chair, said: “It is fantastic that the Travel & Tourism sector has joined the global fight against illegal wildlife trade, recognising how it can both protect wildlife at its source and help curb demand. But, what’s even better, is that it didn’t stop with the Declaration. 

“Despite the disruption of COVID-19, the World Travel & Tourism Council has worked with signatories to implement its terms, and it is now issuing practical implementation guidance through its new guidelines.”

However, despite the support of many Travel & Tourism businesses in the protection of animal and plant species threatened with extinction, much more can still be done to increase the endorsement of the sector in this fight.

The guidelines show that Travel & Tourism does and can continue to play a critical role in helping to tackle the IWT.

Unfortunately, widespread travel bans, and restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decrease in funding for conservation efforts and an increase in poaching activities. Anti-poaching programmes have been starved of funds over the past 18 months.

WTTC is therefore committed to spearheading the drive by Travel & Tourism businesses around the world to embrace policies and practices to help eradicate IWT.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

By adopting a shared responsibility to tackle IWT and sign up to WTTC’s Buenos Aires Declaration and the WTTC-WWF Zero Tolerance Policy, the global Travel & Tourism sector can commit itself to responsible and sustainable wildlife-based tourism activities, to contribute to wildlife preservation.

WTTC’s latest guidelines include:
Tour operators and travel agents:

  • Adopt the principles advocated by the ABTA Animal Welfare Guidelines, promoting responsible Travel & Tourism activities with animals, respectful wildlife viewing practices and improved welfare standards (including no direct human-initiated contact with, or feeding of, wild animals)
  • Discourage suppliers from sourcing animals from the wild unless there is a demonstrable and justifiable conservation need. Consult national laws, animal stock list, CITES* permits and the CITES Management Authority for the respective national government.
  • Accommodation providers:
  • Adopt the principles advocated by the ABTA Animal Welfare Guidelines, promoting responsible Travel & Tourism activities with animals, respectful wildlife viewing practices and improved welfare standards (including no direct human-initiated contact with, and feeding of, wild animals)
  • No commercial trade, breeding or exploitation of animals, including habituated or ‘pet’ animals that may be housed in, or in the vicinity of, the hotel, lodge, or venue.

Transport providers:

  • Sign up to the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce, the WTTC Buenos Aires Declaration on Illegal Trade in Wildlife and the related IWT Zero Tolerance Policy, and work with ROUTES to implement the commitments
  • Airlines should collaborate with industry associations including the International Air Transport Association (IATA), guided by its Live Animals Regulations (LAR), and with the taskforce against wildlife trafficking to support industry-wide action.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Approved Vaccine Inconsistency to Delay Restart of International Travel

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Approved Vaccine Inconsistency to Delay Restart of International Travel

London, United Kingdom, July 16, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The restart of international travel could be seriously delayed without worldwide reciprocal recognition of all approved COVID-19 vaccines, says the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Warning comes as tourists are blocked at the borders.

The global tourism body, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, has issued its warning following concerns tourists face being turned away at the borders because countries don’t have a common list internationally recognised and approved COVID-19 vaccines.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

This comes just days after a number of British holidaymakers, who had been administered the Indian Covishield batch of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, were rejected entry into Malta despite the drug being chemically identical to the UK-made vaccine.

Over the past few weeks reports of holidaymakers facing obstacles to entry have been on the rise, with some even being prevented from boarding their flights to destinations.

WTTC believes that once again, the lack of international coordination to agree on a list of approved vaccines, is creating yet another major stumbling block for the restart of international travel.

This comes despite most vaccines have secured the approval of the World Health Organisation (WHO) or Stringent Regulatory Authorities (SRAs), such as the UK’s the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Food and Drug Administration in the US, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Reports of travellers being turned away because they have the ‘wrong’ vaccine batches or ‘unrecognised’ vaccines have fueled concern from consumers, deterring them from booking and thereby damaging the already struggling Travel & Tourism sector.

The plea for reciprocal recognition for all vaccines and vaccine batches forms part of WTTC’s four new guidelines which are aimed at safely resuming international mobility and save the millions of jobs and livelihoods which depend on this sector, while kick-starting the global economic recovery.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President WTTC, said: “Reciprocal recognition of all vaccine types and batches is essential if we are to avoid any further unnecessary and damaging delay to restarting international travel.

“The failure of countries to agree on a common list of all approved and recognised vaccines is of huge concern to WTTC, as we know every day travel is curbed, more cash-strapped Travel & Tourism businesses face even greater strain, pushing ever more to the brink of bankruptcy.

“We can avoid this by having a fully recognised list of all the approved vaccines – and vaccine batches – which should be the key to unlocking international travel, not the door to preventing it.

“It will also give holidaymakers and travellers the confidence they need to book trips, flights and cruises, confident in the knowledge that their fully-vaccinated status will be internationally recognised.”

WTTC says the restoration of safe international travel can be achieved by following its four guidelines.

Through a combination of COVID-19 testing, vaccination, digital health travel passes and the use of health and safety protocols, such as wearing face masks, safe international mobility can resume while at the same time saving millions of jobs and livelihoods which depend on the sector and kick-starting the global economic recovery.

WTTC’s fundamental guidelines to restore international mobility while safeguarding public health include: 

  1. Appropriately reduced protocols for vaccinated travellers, including no need for testing or quarantine for those fully vaccinated. Global recognition for international travel of all vaccines authorised for use and deemed safe and effective by the WHO or by the WHO recognised SRAs.
  2. A data driven, risk-based and internationally harmonised approach to re-establishing freedom of movement, that is consistent across countries, easy to communicate and clearly understood by travellers.
  3. Global adoption of ‘digital health passes’ which enable travellers to easily obtain and verify their vaccination status, negative COVID test result or natural immunity from a previous infection. These must work with existing border control and travel operator systems accepted by all countries. Digital verification of a traveller’s COVID status prior to travel will avoid lengthy and unsafe queues in transport hubs and terminals.
  4. Continued implementation of high-quality health and safety standards throughout all areas of the Travel & Tourism sector, including continued adoption of the WTTC’s Safe Travel Protocols and Safe Travel Stamp, with the continued wearing of face masks in crowded and enclosed areas as well as on all forms of public transport.

WTTC advocates the full implementation of these proportionate and responsible guidelines for travel during over the next few months, as many travel restrictions begin being eased as major travel markets begin to reopen.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

This is against the backdrop of a successful vaccination roll out, with a subsequent decrease in deaths, cases, and hospitalisations in many countries. However, variants will continue to be cause of concern as the world struggles to emerge from the effects of the pandemic.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Economic Report Reveals COVID-19’s Dramatic Impact on Tourism

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WTTC Economic Report Reveals COVID-19’s Dramatic Impact on Tourism

London, United Kingdom, July 6, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Asia Pacific was the region hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic according to the new annual Economic Trends Report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The report reveals the full dramatic impact of travel restrictions designed to curb COVID-19 on the global economy, individual regions, and its job losses worldwide.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

Asia-Pacific was the worst performing region, with the sector’s contribution to GDP dropping a damaging 53.7%, compared to the global fall of 49.1%.

International visitor spending was particularly hard hit across Asia Pacific, falling by 74.4%, as many countries across the region closed their borders to inbound tourists. Domestic spending witnessed a lower but equally punishing decline of 48.1%.

Travel & Tourism employment in the region fell by 18.4%, equating to a shocking 34.1 million jobs.

However, despite this decline, Asia-Pacific remained the largest region for the sector’s employment in 2020, accounting for 55% (151 million) of all global Travel & Tourism jobs.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President WTTC, said: “WTTC data has laid bare the devastating impact the pandemic has had on Travel & Tourism around the world, leaving economies battered, millions without jobs and many more fearing for their future. 

“Our annual Economic Trends Report shows just how much each region has suffered at the hands of the crushing travel restrictions brought in to control the spread of COVID-19.

“WTTC believes governments around the world should take advantage of their vaccine rollouts, which could significantly ease travel restrictions on travel, and help power the wider global economic recovery.”

The report also revealed the European Travel & Tourism sector suffered the second biggest economic collapse last year, dropping 51.4% (€987 BN).

This significant and damaging decline was in part due to continuing mobility restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.

The report showed domestic spending in Europe declined by 48.4%, offset by some intra-regional travel, however international spending fell at an even sharper rate, by 63.8%.

Despite this, Europe remained the top global region for international visitor spending.

However, Travel & Tourism employment still suffered across the Continent, falling 9.3%, equating to a dramatic loss of 3.6 million jobs.

Travel & Tourism GDP in Africa dropped 49.2% in 2020, in line with the global average.

Domestic spending declined by 42.8%, while international spending saw a much steeper contraction at 66.8%.

In terms of employment losses, Africa suffered disproportionately more than other regions, falling 29.3%, representing a staggering 7.2 million jobs.

Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP in the Middle East decreased significantly in 2020, dropping 51.1%.

While domestic spending declined 42.8%, international spending saw a much steeper fall of 70.3%, in part driven by severe restrictions.

The region, which was highly reliant on international tourism in 2019, saw international spending as a share of total Travel & Tourism spending drop from 62% of the total in 2019 to just 46% in 2020. However, domestic spending grew in share, from 38% of the total in 2019 to 54% in 2020.

Despite a 42.4% decline in Travel & Tourism GDP in 2020, the Americas was the least affected major region globally.

As a result, it remained the largest region in terms of its economic importance, accounting for 35% of global direct Travel & Tourism GDP.

While domestic spending dropped by 38.9%, international spending saw a significantly sharper decline of 72.1% due to severe travel restrictions on inbound visitors.

The Caribbean, which is as a region highly reliant upon international visitors, was the worst affected ‘sub-region’ globally. Its Travel & Tourism GDP fell 58% last year, from 14.1% of its total economy in 2019, to just 6.4% in 2020.

The WTTC Economic Trends Report shows how the Travel & Tourism sector enables socio-economic development, job creation, and significant positive social impact, including providing unique opportunities to women, minorities, and youth.

It suggests that the sector will pivot and adapt to ultimately return stronger post COVID-19, identifying trends already gaining traction and exploring the shifts that may be required to sustain Travel & Tourism in the future.

From a demand perspective, COVID-19 is transforming traveller inclinations and behaviours toward the familiar, predictable, trusted and towards perceived ‘low risk’ destinations. According to the report, more regional holidays, with extensive research and planning, and the great outdoors, will reign in the short-term.

COVID-19 is also proving to be a catalyst in the Travel & Tourism sector’s quest for innovation and the integration of new technologies such as biometrics, which would enable a more seamless traveller experience.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

As global Travel & Tourism starts seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and work to accelerate the resumption of safe international travel takes place, it is essential the sector rebuilds trust to travel. While the pent-up demand is significant, ever-changing travel restrictions have affected consumer confidence to book.

WTTC, which has continually been at the forefront in leading the private sector in the efforts to rebuild global consumer confidence, advocates the need for an internationally coordinated, consistent, and transparent approach to enable safe travel.

Having clear and coordinated health & hygiene protocols would support the sector in rebuilding traveller confidence and allow for international travel to resume and recover swiftly.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Welcomes Launch of EU Digital COVID Certificate

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WTTC Welcomes Launch of EU Digital COVID Certificate

London, UNited Kingdom, July 1, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President WTTC, said: “WTTC is confident the EU Digital COVID Certificate will boost consumer confidence and the wider Travel & Tourism sector across Europe, which has been in a fight for survival for over a year.

“The certificate is a great example and should aid the return of safe international travel; help recover jobs and signal the revival of a sector which will be critical to the economic recovery across the continent.

“We’d like to commend the EU Commission and institutions for adopting this swiftly, however, EU Member States must take a coordinated and harmonised approach, aligning policies to avoid fragmentation and confusion among holidaymakers who needs easy to understand rules and regulations to make travel seamless during this difficult time.

“The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global Travel & Tourism sector has wiped out millions of jobs and seen its contribution to GDP plummet. The lives of the millions of people who rely on the sector have also been turned upside down by the pandemic, causing huge stress and concern.

“We are hopeful the new Digital COVID Certificate will play a major role in safely reopening a sector that will be critical to saving jobs, livelihoods and economies around the world.”

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

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