The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has revealed that global tourism has suffered further setbacks in 2021, with an 87 per cent fall in international tourist arrivals in January.
The latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows that all regions around the world experienced large drops in tourist arrivals in January compared to the year before, citing “mandatory testing, quarantines, and in some cases the complete closure of borders” as obstacles to the resumption of international travel. The report also highlights the delay of the vaccine roll-out as a factor.
The report shows that the Asia-Pacific region recorded the largest decrease in international arrivals (-96 per cent) in the first month of the year due to its high levels of travel restrictions still in place. Europe and Africa saw a decline of 85 per cent in arrivals, while the Middle East followed closely behind with a drop of 84 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Americas saw a decrease of 79 per cent in spite of better results in the last quarter of 2020.
Based on current trends, the organisation forecasts that international tourist arrivals will be down by about 85 per cent in the first quarter of this year, representing a loss of 260 million international arrivals when compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The UNWTO is therefore continuing its calls for a “stronger coordination on travel protocols between countries to ensure the safe restart of tourism and avoid another year of massive losses for the sector”.
Looking ahead, the organisation has released two scenarios for 2021 which take into account a possible recovery in international travel in the second half of the year.
The first scenario forecasts a rebound in July, resulting in a 65 per cent increase in arrivals in comparison to 2020, though this remains 55 per cent lower than 2019 levels. The second scenario points to a recovery in September, with a 30 per cent increase in arrivals compared to last year – this would be 67 per cent below the levels of 2019.
Both of these are dependent on a “major lifting of travel restrictions, the success of vaccination programmes or the introduction of harmonised protocols such as the Digital Green Certificate planned by the European Commission”. Indeed, the organisation called on Europe to set a global example by restarting the sector earlier this week.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commented on the findings:
“2020 was the worst year on record for tourism. The international community needs to take strong and urgent action to ensure a brighter 2021. Many millions of livelihoods and businesses are depending on it. Improved coordination between countries and harmonized travel and health protocols are essential to restore confidence in tourism and allow international travel to resume safely ahead of the peak summer season in the northern hemisphere.”
