The 5 priorities for restarting tourism in a post-pandemic world
Last week The United Nations World Travel Organisation (UNWTO) released a policy brief on the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 within the travel and tourism industry. This article provides a summary of the press release. It highlights the tangible link between global Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030), and how tourism is woven into the fabric of cultural, social and environmental goals on a local and global level. The pandemic has produced an opportunity to review what role tourism (and many other industries) plays in our societies, and how we can measure and manage the interactions between our natural resources, and ecosystems as we move towards carbon neutral or even carbon negative. The article also highlights the five priority areas tourism now faces, as suggested by the UNWTO.
FACTS
- Tourism is one of the world’s major economic sectors
- It is the third-largest export category (after fuels and chemicals)
- In 2019 tourism accounted for 7% of global trade
- It can represent over 20% of their GDP of some countries
- Export revenues from tourism could fall by $910 billion to $1.2 trillion in 2020
- Tourism supports one in 10 jobs and provides livelihoods for many millions more, in both developing and developed economies
- Tourism accounts for up to 80% of exports for some Small Island Developing States
IMPACT ON LIVELIHOODS
Tourism, its associated sectors and service industries provides employment globally for 144 million workers. Small to Medium Enterprises (SME’s) which account for 80% of global tourism are particularly vulnerable, and those businesses which were on a weak financial footing before the pandemic will not survive. Those highlighted as at risk are women who make up 54% of the tourism workforce, temporary workers in the informal economy and younger workers are those who are being most affected.
PLANET-PRESERVATION
A lot of funding for biodiversity conservation is generated through tourism: 7% of world tourism relates to wildlife. The absence of tourists has caused an increase in poaching and damage to the most delicate of wildlife and marine ecosystems, including destinations in Africa where animals are under the most threat. Communities, including indigenous people and ethnic groups, have been able to protect their cultural and natural heritage while creating wealth and improving their wellbeing over the last few decades. The impact of COVID-19 on tourism places further pressure on conservation, particularly for indigenous people and ethnic groups. Many world heritage sites, museums and cultural centres have remained closed, forcing the smaller ones to close their doors forever.
A 5 STEP PRIORITY ROADMAP TO RESTART TOURISM:
- Mitigate socio-economic impacts on livelihoods, particularly women’s employment and economic security.
- Boost competitiveness and build resilience, including through economic diversification, with promotion of domestic and regional tourism where possible, and facilitation of conducive business environment for SME’s.
- Advance innovation and digital transformation of tourism, including promotion of innovation and investment in digital skills, particularly for workers temporarily without jobs and for job seekers.
- Foster sustainability and green growth to shift towards a resilient, competitive, resource efficient and carbon-neutral tourism sector. Green investments for recovery could target protected areas, renewable energy, smart buildings and the circular economy, among other opportunities.
- Coordination and partnerships to restart and transform sector towards achieving SDGs, ensuring tourism’s restart and recovery puts people first and work together to ease and lift travel restrictions in a responsible and coordinated manner.
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHTER
Health and the prevention of a resurgence of the virus must take priority globally, to protect workers and travelers alike. Countries have lifted travel restrictions which has led to spikes in some popular tourist destinations. In Switzerland we see that local businesses in tourist destinations have thrived during the summer as more Swiss have opted for a staycation thereby choosing to spend their money to support local businesses and economy.
The future of tourism relies on bringing people together through international cooperation to promote solidarity, ensuring a more resilient industry. Through collaboration we can promote the SDG’s and remain on track to meet the 2030 Agenda. The pandemic produces an opportunity to accelerate the digital transformation we currently see in the industry. We must harness this innovation to ensure it creates value and longterm career opportunities for communities around the world.
