UNWTO: global tourism sees upturn in q3 but recovery remains fragile

YEREVAN, November 29, /ARKA/. According to the newest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased by 58% in July-September 2021 compared to the same period of 2020.

However, they remained 64% below 2019 levels. But despite recent improvements, uneven vaccination rates around the world and new Covid-19 strains could impact the already slow and fragile recovery.

The economic strain caused by the pandemic could also weigh on travel demand, aggravated by the recent spike in oil prices and disruption of supply chains.

According to the latest UNWTO data, international tourist arrivals are expected to remain 70% to 75% below 2019 levels in 2021, a similar decline as in 2020.

Revenues from international tourism could reach US$ 700-800 billion in 2021, a small improvement from 2020 but less than half the US$ 1.7 trillion recorded in 2019.

The economic contribution of tourism is estimated at US$ 1.9 trillion in 2021 (measured in tourism direct gross domestic product) well below the pre-pandemic value of US$ 3.5 trillion.

The safe resumption of international tourism will continue to depend largely on a coordinated response among countries in terms of travel restrictions, harmonized safety and hygiene protocols and effective communication to help restore consumer confidence, according to the UNWTO.

This is particularly critical at a moment when cases are surging in some regions and new Covid-19 variants are emerging in different parts of the world, it said. -0-