Over 50pc of global destinations easing travel restrictions, yet caution remains
Most destinations all over the world (53 per cent) have now started easing travel restrictions introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though many remain careful in view of the expansion of the pandemic, the seventh edition of the UNWTO “COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions: A Global Assessment for Tourism” confirms the ongoing craze towards the gradual restart of tourism.
Analysing constraints up to September 1, the research carried out by the US specialised firm for tourism found that a complete of 115 destinations (53 % of most destinations worldwide) possess eased travel restrictions, a rise of 28 since July 19. Of these, two possess lifted all restrictions, while the remaining 113 continue to have specific restrictive measures in place.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-Basic, UNWTO, said, “Coordinated leadership and improved cooperation between governments means tourism is slowly but steadily restarting in lots of parts of the world. Starting to ease constraints on travel opens likewise the doorways for tourism’s public and economic advantages to return. While we must remain vigilant and cautious, we are concerned about those destinations with ongoing full travelling restrictions, specifically where tourism can be a lifeline and monetary and social production are under threat.”
Deepening tourism intelligence
For the very first time, the COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions statement includes key data on medical and hygiene infrastructure set up at destinations, while also analysing fee of notifications of new COVID-19 cases. This enables UNWTO to determine the factors that are influencing places’ decisions to help ease restrictions.
Notably, the report implies that destinations which have eased travel constraints generally have large or very high levels of health insurance and hygiene infrastructure. In addition they generally have comparatively low COVID-19 infection rates.
Within advanced economies, 79 % of tourism destinations have previously eased constraints. In emerging economies, only 47 per cent of destinations did so.
64 per cent of these destinations that have eased have a higher or medium reliance on oxygen as a mode of transfer for international tourism arrivals.
As well, the report implies that many destinations around the world are incredibly wary of easing travel limitations they introduced in response to the pandemic plus some have passed severe measures so that they can keep their citizens safe. 93 destinations (43 % of most worldwide destinations) continue steadily to have their borders entirely closed to tourism, of which 27 have had their borders completely shut for at least 30 weeks.
Furthermore, over fifty percent of all destinations with borders completely closed to tourism will be classified to be among the World’s Most Vulnerable Countries. They involve 10 SIDS (Small Island Developing Claims), one Least Developed Region (LDC) and three Land-Locked Growing Countries (LLDCs).
More than half of destinations with full restrictions still set up are also highly reliant on aviation, with at least 70 per cent of their tourist arrivals approaching by air, triggering significant connection impacts because of their citizens and economies.
UNWTO continues to screen the effect of COVID-19 on the tourism. Right away, the UN specialised firm has encouraged that the situation is liquid and that, even while tourism restarts in a few regions, in others, restrictions could be tightened and borders reclosed. In the same way, UNWTO has observed a rise in travelling advisories being issued by governments for their own citizens, alongside considerably more and varied constraints and other measures fond of passengers arriving from certain countries
