Global Tourism Development in 2020

In 2020, the global tourism industry suffered the worst decline in history. Affected by the epidemic, almost all international tourists stopped and most domestic tourism stopped. It has only gradually recovered in the last two months. Let's share the specific status quo of tourism development.

The World Tourism Organization released the latest data on June 22nd, 2020 to measure the impact of COVID-19 epidemic on global tourism.

After the global tourism industry almost stopped for several months, some countries in the northern hemisphere have started to restart tourism, but most countries are still implementing travel restrictions, and tourism is still one of the industries most affected by the epidemic.

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, pointed out that the sharp drop in global tourists has caused heavy losses to employment and economy. Countries should increase their support for tourism practitioners before resuming tourism, and give priority to resuming tourism on the basis of ensuring health and epidemic prevention and safety.

As one of the traditional festivals in western society, Easter in April every year is a tourist season. Affected by the epidemic, the total number of international tourists decreased by 97% in April this year, and the total number of international tourists decreased by 44% in June-April.

The Asia-Pacific region was the most affected, and the total number of international tourists decreased by 565,438+0% year-on-year. Europe fell by 44%, the Middle East by 40%, the Americas by 36% and Africa by 35%.

From 10 to April, the economic loss of global tourism has reached as high as $654.38+95 million. At the beginning of May, the World Tourism Organization issued a forecast that according to the travel restrictions of various countries, the number of international tourists worldwide will drop by 58% to 78% this year compared with 20 19.

Data distribution of global tourism affected by epidemic situation from June to April, 2020 (1)

The World Tourism Organization once again appeals to governments and international organizations to support tourism. As an important pillar of the global economy, the recovery of tourism is related to the livelihood of millions of people around the world. The World Tourism Organization emphasizes that governments should restart tourism in a responsible way: strengthen health and safety, gradually lift travel restrictions and resume some international flights.

Source: Cultural Section of the Embassy of China in Spain.