The Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili has re-echoed the need for support by national governments to ensure that the sector avoids calamity in massive job losses.
Tourism is one of the hardest hit sectors in the ongoing social and economic distress owing to the ravaging effect of the novel coronavirus.
Speaking on BBC’s ”Business Today” program the UN Tourism chief said: ”Tourism is the hardest hit sector. For many developing countries, tourism is a lifeline and the impact of COVID-19 will hit him them hardest of all.”
Tourism can be a driver of recovery. It is a leading provider of jobs. And it touches on every part of society.
The latest call by Pololikashvili was the central message from the global crisis tourism committee convened by UNWTO and other leading allied tourism institutions.
They urged national governments to go beyond promises and take action to save the sector.
”We need actions not words. We welcome Commissioner Bretton’s calls for 25% of EU recovery funds to go to helping tourism. Europe can set an example to the world,” Pololikashvili added.
”The crisis has also hit people’s confidence in the economy. As a person-to-person sector, tourism can rebuild trust and restore confidence.”
The UNWTO has led International calls for tourism’s voice to be hard in recovery plans as well as underscore the importance in tackling the pandemic.
UNWTO is the specialized agency of UN responsible for the promotion of sustainable tourism.
