China News Service, Beijing, July 9 Question: International Observation: The "epidemic" tour has not been exhausted. Is this summer vacation about?
Reporter Zhang Shuo
July and August each year is a traditional peak tourist season. Many people choose to come on a "walk away" tour at this time, and the tourism industry also makes a lot of money. But this year the situation is very different-affected by the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, the global tourism industry is being hit hard. Under heavy pressure, countries have explored the recovery of the tourism industry and launched many industry revitalization strategies. As the epidemic situation improves in some areas, the government and industry are turning their hopes to the “golden gear” for the summer.
On July 6, local time, the Louvre Museum in Paris, France was reopened, taking strict epidemic prevention and control measures to control the number of visitors. Affected by the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, the Louvre was closed for up to 16 weeks. China News Service reporter Li Yangshe
Behind the trillion dollar loss
"The Prophet of Plumbing Ducks in the Spring River", the impact of the tourism industry on the epidemic situation is often deeper. Tong Sheng (pseudonym), who has lived in France for more than 20 years, is engaged in the tour guide industry locally. He compared the business of last year with this year to a reporter from China News. "Last year was the peak tourist season in Europe. The streets of Paris were busy. The Louvre, Versailles and other well-known attractions are full of tourists from all over the world. I simply want to Busy enough to fly.” Speaking of the current situation, Tong Sheng said frankly, “This year’s outbreak of the epidemic, this city seems to be empty, and the impact on the tourism industry may be devastating. Many restaurants The pub and even the century-old store closed down."
More than France, the negative effects of the epidemic hitting the tourism industry of many countries have already appeared. According to a report released by UNCTAD on the 1st, the global tourism industry has been stalled for nearly 4 months due to the impact of the epidemic, causing at least US$1.2 trillion in losses.
What's more serious is that the tourism industry still has a long way to go to restore its vitality. Thierry Breton, member of the European Union’s Internal Market Committee, expressed concern about this, “I don’t know how long this situation will last.” According to its estimates, the revenue of the European hotel and restaurant industry will decrease by 50% this year, the revenue of travel companies and other tourism companies will fall by 70%, and the revenue loss of shipping airlines and other companies will reach 90%. It is predicted that the European tourism industry will return to the state before the outbreak in 2022 at the earliest.
People have reduced travel and travel, and countries have adopted a "closed city" policy, which has plunged into crisis with the aviation industry. European aircraft manufacturer Airbus Group recently announced that it will lay off 15,000 people by the summer of 2021, accounting for about 11% of global employees. Several airlines also throw out layoff plans. In order to adapt to the declining travel demand, United Airlines issued a layoff notice to employees on the 8th, warning 36,000 employees or will be cut in October this year. Lufthansa announced on the 7th that it will cut 20% of its leadership positions and 1,000 administrative positions to weather the crisis.
On June 1, the Colosseum reopened in Rome, Italy. For epidemic prevention, visitors are required to wear masks, measure body temperature and disinfect their hands when entering the venue.
Many countries "green light" for tourism
Tourism is a pillar industry in many countries, and the length of downtime is directly related to the speed of economic recovery. With the arrival of the traditional peak tourist season and the epidemic situation in some areas getting better, the local government and operators are taking measures to gradually loosen border control, hoping to stop the tourism industry through the "golden stall" in the summer.
As the "handleman" of traditional tourism, Europe attracts tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world to check in. According to a reporter's review, the French Louvre Museum ushered in the first batch of tourists more than three months after the museum closed at 9:00 a.m. local time. Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais and other famous French attractions have also been opened. Due to the epidemic, the large fountain of landmarks in Geneva, Switzerland, has been splashed with water, and the Colosseum in Italy has been closed for nearly three months. It has gradually recovered from the past. The museums in Amsterdam, Netherlands have been closed for more than two months. After ready to go.
In Asia and Africa, Tokyo Skytree, a well-known tourist attraction in Japan, opened its doors in June. The Egyptian National Museum, the Giza Pyramid Scenic Area, and some tourist attractions in the southern tourist cities of Luxor and Aswan have also been opened to the public. Since August 1st, international tourism has been gradually opened up, and the Middle East city of Dubai announced that foreign tourists will be allowed to enter from the 7th of this month.
Although the epidemic situation in Latin America is intensifying, the local area is also preparing for restarting the tourism industry. Popular attractions along the Mexican Caribbean coast have gradually resumed business.
To attract more tourists, many tourist countries have recently relaxed border control. Italy became the first EU country to lift travel restrictions for foreign tourists. The Spanish government has issued invitations to all European tourists. Hungary has also reopened borders to all EU member states. The French government encourages its citizens to go to many countries where the epidemic is controlled. Walk around.
On July 7, local time, in the Yorkdale shopping mall in Toronto, Canada, customers who shop and relax wear masks. China News Service reporter Yu Ruidong
B option for the "golden file" in summer
On the one hand, they are seeking recovery from the difficulties, and on the other hand, they are controlling the epidemic while unblocking. The revitalization of tourism also needs to be balanced and balanced, and requires the B option outside the traditional model.
For this reason, "reservation travel" is becoming a "new rule" in the tourism industry. In order to receive tourists not exceeding the maximum carrying capacity, many countries have adopted an appointment system while the scenic spots are open, and scientifically divide the time and flow to guide tourists to conduct safe and orderly tours. On the day that the Louvre reopened, not only did the staff strictly guide the visitors to enter the venue in an orderly manner, but also the blue signboard "Today's reservation is full" was quickly displayed.
While "turning the green light" for tourism, almost all countries simultaneously emphasized the laxness of epidemic prevention measures such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance. Germany continues to implement measures to maintain a social distance of 1.5 meters and strengthen hygiene. Although Poland no longer requires people to wear masks, outdoor parties still need to maintain a social distance of 2 meters. After South Korea enters the "life epidemic prevention stage", the government reminds the public to continue to follow the epidemic prevention guidelines seriously and minimize the spread and risks of the epidemic. Zimbabwe restaurants are allowed to open for dine-in, but the occupancy rate should not exceed 50%.
The epidemic changed the people's travel wishes and habits. Germany’s Le Monde website quoted the latest survey of the country’s Trade Research Association, saying that two-thirds of Germans gave up their travel plans for this summer, and some people spent “travel expenses” on other items such as furniture and video game products. Overhead.
In addition, affected by the epidemic, people choose more short-term and short-distance travel. "Conformity psychology" is no longer the main reference item for choosing a travel destination. Under the epidemic, some niche attractions that were not popular in the past are more popular this year.
In order to compete for tourists, traditional tourism operators racked their brains. In order to meet the people's holiday needs, many countries have favored policies to "bless" and encourage people to "play at home." For example, doctors, nurses and other frontline staff in France can apply for domestic travel vouchers of hundreds of euros; the Belgian government will issue free domestic train tickets to all their citizens at any destination; Italy has set up 2.4 billion euros The "Vacation Bonus" rewards families with an annual income of less than 40,000 euros, and each family can receive a subsidy of 500 euros; the Swiss cantons have also launched various "local travel" projects, allowing tourists to enter the attractions at a discount. (Finish)