On World Tourism Day ... how has tourism been affected by the "Covid-19" pandemic

The World Tourism Day this year, which falls on the 27th of September of each year, comes at a critical time this year, as countries around the world are looking to tourism to boost the recovery in light of the global pandemic Covid-19.

This date was chosen on that day in 1970, to raise awareness of the role of tourism within the international community and to show how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values ​​around the world.

In the 2020 edition of World Tourism Day, under the slogan "Tourism and Rural Development", the sector's exceptional ability to create opportunities outside major cities and preserve cultural and natural heritage around the world will be celebrated.

Most countries are fighting today from the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic, and the tourism sector has had a large share of the losses resulting from the suspension of air traffic and the disruption of hotels, and tourism is a source of livelihood for millions of people, as it represents 20% of the national income of some countries.

According to the data of the United Nations report on tourism and the effects of Covid-19 on it, tourism ranks third as the largest export sector in the global economy, and one of the sectors most affected by the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tourism generated 7% of global trade in 2019, and contributed to employing one person in 10 globally.

According to a report by the World Tourism Organization, the number of international tourists decreased during the first half of this year by 65% ​​compared to the same period in 2019, while the decrease reached 93% by June, according to data from some destinations.

The results of the gradual opening that began during the second half of May and June in a number of destinations did not come as expected, and the improvement was not tangible.

The significant decline in demand for international travel during the first half of 2020 can only translate into a loss of 440 million international arrivals and $ 460 billion in international tourism receipts, which exceeds the loss recorded in 2009 by five times in light of the global financial crisis.

While the demand for domestic tourism recorded an increase in many large markets, such as China, which recorded an increase in demand, reaching 90% of its rates in July 2019.

Outlook for the coming years

The World Tourism Organization has put forward 3 scenarios that indicate expectations of a decrease of 58 to 78% in international tourism rates in 2020, and current trends record a decrease of 70%.

The organization expects to record a recovery starting from 2021 and extending to 2024, an assumption based on a reflection in the development of the epidemic, improved traveler confidence, and the lifting of travel restrictions expected by the middle of the year.

Returning to 2019 levels could take 2 1/2 to 4 years.

By regions, Asia and the Pacific is the region most affected by the consequences of Covid-19 on tourism, as it witnessed a decrease of 72% in the number of arrivals during the first half of the current world, and Europe came in second place, with a decrease of 66%, followed by the Americas, with a decrease of 55%, Africa and the East. Middle 57%.

The hotel sector

The hotel sector was also affected by the decline in demand for tourism double in 3 measures, which are revenues per available room, average daily price and occupancy with low performance in all regions of the world, according to the data recorded up to July 2020.

The occupancy rate in July was its lowest, at 17% in Africa, 19% in Central and South America, 27% in Europe, 35% in the Middle East, 46% in Asia and the Pacific and 47% in the Pacific.

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