UNWTO celebrates “Tourism and Rural Development” as this year’s World Tourism Day theme, as countries around the world look to tourism, as a leading employer, to drive recovery.

According to the latest analysis from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 40% of all destinations worldwide have now eased the restrictions they placed on international tourism in response to COVID-19.

The enormous toll of COVID-19 on international tourism has now become clear. The latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows that the near-complete lockdown imposed in response to the pandemic led to a 98 per cent fall in international tourism in May when compared to 2019. This dramatic fall places many millions of livelihoods at risk, including in developing countries. As the situation continues to evolve, the United Nations specialized agency provides the first comprehensive insight into the impact of the pandemic, both in tourist numbers and lost revenues.

A new set of Recommendations published with the participation of the UNWTO outline how the global tourism sector can continue its fight against plastic pollution, while effectively facing the public health and hygiene challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations illustrate how reducing the plastic footprint, increasing the engagement of suppliers, working closer with waste service providers, and ensuring transparency on the actions taken, can significantly contribute to the responsible recovery of the tourism sector.

UNWTO shows that 22% of all destinations worldwide (48 destinations) have started to ease restrictions, with Europe leading the way. 65% of all destinations keep their borders closed.

As COVID-19 has brought tourism to a complete standstill, the United Nations is working closely with international organizations, Governments and the private sector to support the responsible and timely recovery of the sector, on which millions of small businesses and jobs depend. The global tourism decline has already taken a toll on national economies, people’s livelihoods and efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNWTO issued a package of guidance to Member States on economic recovery, marketing and promotion, and institutional strengthening and resilience building.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released a set of guidelines to help tourism sector emerge stronger and more sustainably from COVID-19. Depending on when travel restrictions are lifted, the UN specialized agency warns that international tourist arrivals could fall by between 60% and 80%. This puts 100-120 million jobs at risk and could lead to US$ 910 billion to US$ 1.2 trillion lost in exports. The guidelines highlight the need to act decisively, to restore confidence and, as UNWTO strengthens its partnership with Google, to embrace innovation and the digital transformation of global tourism.

World Tourism Organization latest data shows restrictions in place in 100% of destinations. Without a strong and vital tourism sector, many millions of jobs and small businesses are at risk.

After the success of the first edition, the competition has returned to identify and celebrate disruptive ideas and innovators who will lead the transformation of the sector as well as those who are making a positive impact in their local communities. In 2019, over 300 initiatives from 84 countries were submitted. Projects ranged from new technologies, community-based tourism development initiatives, innovation software and startups focused on innovation-driven agricultural sustainability. For this second edition there will be two prizes. The first category will identify the initiative that is both innovative and has a sustainable social impact. The other category will recognize the most disruptive gastronomy tourism startup overall. 

This initiative unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to tackle the root causes of plastic pollution, enabling businesses and governments to take joint action. To achieve this vision, tourism companies and destinations will be required to make a set of concrete and actionable commitments by 2025.