UNWTO: Words alone will not save jobs

The World Tourism Organization’s urges the governments to “go beyond words” and begin taking decisive action to safeguard the millions of jobs under threat due to the 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.

According to the report, 96 per cent of all worldwide destinations have implemented travel restrictions amid pandemic. Around 90 destinations have completely or partially closed their borders to tourists, while 44 are closed to certain tourists depending on country of origin.

UNWTO secretary-general said that Covid-19 has impacted travel and tourism like no other event before in history. Governments have put public health first and introduced full or partial restrictions on travel. With tourism suspended, the benefits the sector brings are under threat: millions of jobs could be lost, and progress made in the fields of equality and sustainable economic growth could be rolled back. UNWTO therefore calls on governments to continuously review travel restrictions and ease or lift them as soon as it is safe to do so.

MMP
photo: unwto.org