Looking Beyond a Locked Down World

The president of UNWTO

Roma [ENA] Words alone will not save jobs in tourism when 96% of global destinations impose travel restrictions. The scale of disruption caused by COVID-19 to global tourism is shown in a comprehensive new report on travel restrictions from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO . The Global Tourism Crisis Committee has united behind the World Tourism Organization’s rallying cry for governments to “go beyond words” and begin

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taking decisive action to safeguard the millions of jobs under threat as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Crisis Committee was convened on 17 April by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in response to COVID-19. With tourism among the worst affected of all major economic sectors, the United Nations specialized agency for tourism also warns of the social and development toll the economic impact might have. UNWTO is taking the lead in ensuring governments do all they can to safeguard livelihoods and shield the most vulnerable members of society. UNWTO Echoed Wider Call for Action Not Words and in the third meeting of the Committee, UNWTO urged members to increase pressure on world leaders to rethink tax policies and employment

policies relating to tourism and to help make sure businesses survive to help drive wider recovery efforts.This call to action comes as decision makers come under mounting pressure to take concrete steps to help combat COVID-19. Drawing up financial and economic responses has been the central focus of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank this week, while the European Commission has been enhancing political cooperation within the European Union. The Tourism Crisis Committee meeting was also held against the backdrop of the Saudi Presidency of the G20 calling on governments, private organisations and philanthropists to contribute a collective US$8 billion to address the existing financing gap and properly

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address the pandemic. Governments have an opportunity to recognize tourism’s unique ability to not only provide employment but to drive equality and inclusivity and UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili declared : “This crisis has shown the strength of solidarity across borders. But nice words and gestures will not protect jobs or help the many millions of people whose lives are dependent on a thriving tourism sector. Governments have an opportunity to recognize tourism’s unique ability to not only provide employment but to drive equality and inclusivity. Our sector has proven its ability to bounce back and help societies recover. We ask that tourism is now given the right support to once again lead recovery efforts.”