China News Service, August 14th. The global number of confirmed cases of new crown is approaching 21 million. When the epidemic is raging, it is difficult for people from many countries to take a "go-and-go" trip during the good travel season of late summer and early autumn.
It is difficult for Americans in the hardest hit areas of the epidemic to enjoy holiday beaches, and American tourists are more likely to be "shunned" by other countries; European countries have to tighten entry and travel restrictions when the epidemic rebounds; the world tourism industry has been hit hard , It seems to be in the cold winter; however, under the epidemic situation, diversified travel methods are also emerging.
Data map: July, holiday crowd on Huntington Beach, California, USA.
Say goodbye to Holiday Beach, no one welcomes American tourists?
Expert: The United States may be infected with the virus everywhere
The United States is still the country with the worst new crown epidemic in the world, with more than 5.25 million confirmed cases and more than 167,000 deaths. The country’s “severely affected areas” of the epidemic are still concentrated in California, Texas, and Florida, which are known as the “sunbelt”.
Previously, with the arrival of the summer vacation, many resorts, including Huntington Beach in California and Miami Beach in Florida, were overcrowded. Not only were few people wearing masks, let alone maintaining social distance. Although many beaches have been closed as the epidemic worsened, the local department of Palm Beach County recently stated that they intend to reopen the beaches.
In this regard, the director of the Florida Department of Health, Alonso, said on the 11th local time that since the epidemic is far from over, any reopening of Palm Beach may cause a disaster of the new crown epidemic.
The epidemiologist Prince of the University of Florida also warned: “Now at the stage where the pandemic is extremely wide in the United States, no matter where you are in this country, the possibility of exposure to the new crown virus and infection is increasing.”
On the other hand, although the US State Department announced on the 6th that it would lift the global travel warning for US citizens, that is, allowing Americans to travel abroad. However, of the more than 20 million confirmed cases worldwide, one in four people are from the United States. Countries may still avoid "American visitors".
A reporter from the US "Capitol Hill" once said: "No one welcomes American tourists." The European Union has imposed a ban on American tourists since July 1. The non-essential travel ban between the United States, Canada and the United States and Mexico will last at least until late August; the United Kingdom, the Bahamas Etc. also require American travelers to quarantine for 14 days.
On August 12th, local time, Newcastle, England, fans attended Sam Find's concert. The concert was held on the open lawn. Fans were in groups of five, sitting in 500 grids divided by fences, each grid keeping a social distance of two meters. Image source: Sipaphoto copyright works please do not reprint
Britain sharply reduces travel "safety list"
Long holiday in Japan's Obon is bleak
In addition to the United States, due to the continued rebound of the epidemic, many countries are currently gradually tightening restrictions on entry and tourism.
At the moment, the UK is implementing the "Travel Corridor" plan, and tourists from countries not on the planned list need to self-quarantine for 14 days. In view of the rebound of the epidemic, after Belgium and other countries were removed from the "safety list" last week, on the 13th local time, the United Kingdom removed France, the Netherlands, and Monaco.
Italy, which is also in Europe, is no exception. Not only is the Ministry of Health planning to conduct nucleic acid testing for all entry personnel, but many regions have also begun to upgrade their quarantine requirements. The Campania region requires all persons returning from abroad to report and be tested for the virus.
In Japan, the restrictions on entry due to the new crown epidemic are still continuing, and there are still more than 100 countries and regions on its restricted entry list.
In addition, in view of the severity of the epidemic, not only the capital Tokyo urged people to avoid cross-border travel as much as possible, but also the summer tourist destination Okinawa, due to the surge in new cases, extended the state of emergency on the 13th. A series of restrictions have made Japan deserted during the Obon holiday, in sharp contrast to the bustling summer vacation in previous years.
Data map: Acropolis of Athens, Greece under the epidemic.
The world's tourism industry has been severely hit by the epidemic
120 million tourism jobs may be lost
The virus continues to wreak havoc, and the global tourism industry has suffered a severe impact. According to the World Tourism Organization, the number of international tourists has plummeted by 56% from January to May. The organization is also worried that the epidemic may cause the loss of up to 120 million tourism-related direct employment opportunities.
Specifically, French State Secretary Le Moine said that the “direct losses” caused by the epidemic to the French tourism industry this year are at least between 30 billion and 40 billion euros. He also pointed out: “Many tourism companies tell us that they will The turnover will drop by 20% to 25%."
Statistics from the Bank of Greece show that from January to May, the country’s tourism revenue decreased by 78.5%, and the number of inbound tourists decreased by 97.7% in May alone. Tassios, president of the Greek Hotel Industry Practitioners Association, said that the average hotel occupancy rate in Greece in July was only 25%, and the arrival rate of tourists will continue to remain at a low level in early August.
The director of the National Tourism Administration of Thailand, Yuthasar, said on the 10th that it is expected that in 2020, Thailand's annual tourism revenue will drop by 75% year-on-year. If the epidemic continues, the tourism industry in 2021 will be more severe.
First Airlines in Tokyo, Japan has launched a VR flight experience. Consumers can enjoy the cabin service of "Stewardess" while enjoying the 360-degree view of the city.
Domestic Tour, VR Tour, Live Tour
Diversified travel modes under the epidemic
The epidemic is raging and prevention and control are tightened. While the global tourism industry is under tremendous pressure, it is also flexibly adjusting and showing diversified characteristics.
--Domestic travel
As long as the epidemic does not subside for a day, it will be difficult for cross-border tourism to fully recover. For this reason, in some countries where the domestic epidemic has stabilized, the governments have made moves to support the recovery of domestic tourism.
Singapore’s tourism department recently launched the “Rediscover Singapore” plan, which encourages citizens to travel and spend within the country by cooperating with local communities to find hidden attractions and planning special neighbourhood itineraries. In Russia, the government has allocated 15 billion rubles to the end of the year. Russian citizens’ domestic travel expenses are partially subsidized; in addition, the Belgian government has stated that it will issue domestic train tickets to citizens for free.
——VR tourism
If domestic travel can't be achieved, it's okay, VR travel can also be immersive.
In France, audiences use virtual reality technology to experience the daily life of Pompeii in the Grand Palais in Paris before being destroyed by a volcanic eruption; in Egypt, the virtual tourism project uncovered the pyramids, the Red Monastery, the old Islamic city of Cairo, etc. The mystery of classic tourist attractions.
——Live Tour
It is also a "cloud travel" at home, and live travel is also a different experience.
Recently, a zoo in Thailand broadcast live broadcasts of the daily life of animals to people who stay at home and love animals. Penguins, giraffes, hippos, Malayan tapirs and other animals have become "guests."
According to the garden, each live broadcast is watched by nearly 10,000 people, and the people like it very much. At the same time, it can arouse people's love for nature and animals.