Category: Latest Travel News

Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket, Thailand, August 1, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Andres Rubio, General Manager of Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket, recently welcomed Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the Minister of Tourism and Sports and Dr.Kongsak Yodmanee the Governor of Sport Authority of Thailand, on the occasion of returning from participating in the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo, Japan to arrive in Thailand under the Phuket Sandbox campaign and staying at the hotel.

Cape Panwa Hotel is one of the luxury hotels in Phuket that passed the Safe Travel Standard (SHA Plus+) under the supervision of the TAT and have been certified as safe travel by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Seen in the photo from left:
Mr.Rubio; Mr.Ratchakitprakarn; Mr.Yodmanee and Boonsong Suratod, Front Office Manager of the hotel.

Phuket, Thailand, August 1, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification has been certified by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) as being on par with the WTTC SafeTravels global health and hygiene standardised protocols.

The Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification has been certified by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) as being on par with the WTTC SafeTravels global health and hygiene standardised protocols.

All 10 types of businesses with the SHA certificate will be permitted to display both logos.

Geneva, Switzerland, July 31, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on governments to take action to address the high cost of COVID-19 tests in many jurisdictions and urged flexibility in permitting the use of cost-effective antigen tests as an alternative to more expensive PCR tests. IATA also recommended governments adopt recent World Health Organization (WHO) guidance to consider exempting vaccinated travelers from testing requirements.

According to IATA’s most recent traveler survey, 86% of respondents are willing to get tested. But 70% also believe that the cost of testing is a significant barrier to travel, while 78% believe governments should bear the cost of mandatory testing.

“IATA supports COVID-19 testing as a pathway to reopen borders to international travel. But our support is not unconditional. In addition to being reliable, testing needs to be easily accessible, affordable, and appropriate to the risk level. Too many governments, however, are falling short on some or all of these. The cost of testing varies widely between jurisdictions, with little relation to the actual cost of conducting the test. The UK is the poster child for governments failing to adequately manage testing. At best it is expensive, at worst extortionate. And in either case, it is a scandal that the government is charging VAT,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

The new generation of rapid tests cost less than $10 per test. Provided a confirmatory rRT-PCR test is administered for positive test results, WHO guidance sees Ag-RDT antigen testing as an acceptable alternative to PCR. And, where testing is a mandatory requirement, the WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHRs) state that neither passengers nor carriers should bear the cost of testing.

Testing also needs to be appropriate to the threat level. For example, in the UK, the latest National Health Service data on testing arriving travelers show that more than 1.37 million tests were conducted on arrivals from so-called Amber countries. Just 1% tested positive over four months. Meanwhile, nearly three times that number of positive cases are being detected in the general population daily.

“Data from the UK government confirms that international travelers pose little to no risk of importing COVID-19 compared to existing levels of infection in the country. At the very least therefore, the UK government should follow WHO guidance and accept antigen tests which are fast, affordable and effective, with a confirmatory PCR test for those who test positive. This could be a pathway for enabling even unvaccinated people access to travel,” Walsh said.

Restarting international travel is vital to supporting the 46 million travel and tourism jobs around the world that rely on aviation. “Our latest survey confirms that the high cost of testing will bear heavily on the shape of the travel recovery. It makes little sense for governments to take steps to reopen borders, if those steps make the cost of travel prohibitive to most people. We need a restart that is affordable for all,” said Walsh.

Madrid, Spain, July 30, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Destination Capital (DC) has signed a collaborative arrangement with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) of the United Nations to support the rejuvenation of the hotel industry. The arrangement supports the relationship DC has with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to promote investment in green and sustainable tourism accommodation and to stimulate re-employment, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

The collaboration between UNWTO and Destination Capital is based on DC’s adoption of best practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions and operating hotels in a manner consistent with IFC’s environmental and social criteria. Against this backdrop, DC acquires and repositions freehold hotels of 150-250 rooms in Thailand and across South-East Asia with the aim of implementing sustainable water and energy systems. It also works to promote gender equality at every level of the hospitality sector, another of UNWTO’s core priorities and in line with Sustainable Development Goal number 5.

While governments and destinations around the world are working on vaccination programs to accelerate the restart of the tourism, UNWTO is working with the private sector to encourage employers to play their part in the recovery of local communities through job creation and training programs. UNWTO data shows that international tourism arrivals fell by 1 billion in 2020, with the crisis carrying over into 2021. Worldwide, this has placed as many as 120 million tourism jobs directly at risk. Moreover, Asia and the Pacific has been the worst-affected of all global regions, and young workers and women are among the hardest hit by the downturn in tourism employment.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, DC recognizes the hotel industry not only has a responsibility to re-hire and re-train hotel staff. It is also increasingly under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and mitigate the impact of energy and water consumption as well as food waste and environmental degradation. DC is committed to retrofitting its hotels to be compliant as ‘green hotel’s as per the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) standards established by IFC.

About Destination Capital
Destination Capital is a private equity real estate investment company based in Bangkok Thailand which focuses on acquiring, renovating and repositioning hotel assets such that they are EDGE compliant and follow a rigorous sustainability protocol in order to unlock value for our capital partners. Rigorous asset manage programs are in place to yield higher values upon exit while pursuing a “Triple Bottom Line” strategy: Planet, People, Profit.

Victoria Falls, Zambia, July 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Marrying world-class expertise with indigenous wellness culture and breathtaking scenery, The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara in Zambia will be the location for a holistic wellness retreat from 19-22 August 2021. Set along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, in full view of the spray of the Victoria Falls, guests can expect a retreat that will nourish both mind and body in a naturally serene outdoor environment, with daily Vinyasa yoga and meditation sessions conducted on the Royal deck overlooking the Zambezi.

• See the World’s Best Luxury Hotels here.

The retreat will be conducted by Stuart Kirton of Cape Town’s Yo Yoga Studio. Stuart has been instructing classes since 2003 in a multitude of styles such as Ashtanga, Hot 26, Restorative and Vinyasa yoga. Originally trained and certified in London through the Shadow Yoga method, he has a vast amount of knowledge and experience, spanning over 17 years.

Set on the banks of the Zambezi River, Anantara Spa will provide a spectacular outdoor setting for natural revitalisation in riverside gazebos, immersed in the idyllic beauty of the Zambezi River and surrounding landscapes, with rushing water, chirping birdsong and the calls of wildlife providing an uplifting soundtrack. Daily spa treatments will leave guests feeling relaxed. The spa’s menu reads like an Out-of-Africa odyssey, drawing on revered local wellness traditions and age-old beauty secrets. Signature experiences include the Zambezi Massage and the Anantara Signature Massage. The Zambezi Massage uses a traditional technique also known as Ukuchina. In this massage, warm towels are used in kneading and compression movements to relieve muscle pain and tension.

The combination of authentic African techniques and Western massage creates the ultimate relaxation experience and promotes wellbeing throughout the body. Traditionally performed to rejuvenate and cure malaria, fatigue, muscle pain, inflammation and other body ailments, Ukuchina massage is also a popular postnatal treatment for women and has been passed down through generations. The Anantara Signature Massage combines revered Eastern and Western techniques in purpose-designed movements. A signature oil blend stimulates circulation and deeply relaxes muscles. Reflexology clears any energy blocks and promotes an overall sense of wellbeing.

• See the World’s Best Luxury Hotels here.

Victoria Falls is a haven for bucket list adventures and when guests aren’t relaxing in the hotel or its vast grounds they can experience the myriad of adventure activities that the destination has to offer, such as a swim in the Devil’s Pool, a uniquely located plunge pool right on the edge of the Falls, where the thundering cascade plummets 350-feet, providing a pulse-racing dip for those brave enough to venture into the Zambezi River. A once in a lifetime helicopter ride can be enjoyed as guests watch from above as the mighty Zambezi River carves its way through the steep cliffs of the Batoka Gorge and transforms from a gentle and serene river into the rampant Victoria Falls that descend 120 metres to the floor of the valley. Wildlife river safaris on the Zambezi reveal excellent game and bird viewing and provide a mesmerising way to end the day.

About Anantara
Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences.

From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travellers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. The portfolio currently boasts over 40 stunning properties located in Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zambia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain and Mauritius, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Indian Ocean, Middle East and Africa.

Bangkok, Thailand, July 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts is celebrating after 31 of its properties in Asia (Southeast Asia and Japan) were honored in the 2021 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards! Hotels and resorts in eight countries – Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam – won this prestigious title this year, reflecting Best Western’s region-wide commitment to service excellence.

The Travelers’ Choice Awards celebrate the Tripadvisor community’s most loved hotels, resorts, restaurants, destinations, attractions and activities around the world. The winners are selected based on the quality and quantity of their online reviews and ratings, so the awards are a genuine reflection of travelers’ opinions, rather than the views of a panel of judges.

• Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels and Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

Best Western’s award winners cover eight of the group’s industry-leading brands: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Vīb®, BW Premier Collection®, BW Signature Collection®, SureStay® and SureStay Plus®. This shows how the company is committed to upholding exceptional standards in all sectors of the market, from economy to upscale.

“We are thrilled that so many of Best Western’s hotels and resorts in Asia have been honored in the 2021 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. The last 15 months have created unprecedented upheaval for everyone involved in the hospitality industry, but we’re very proud that our properties have risen to meet these personal and operational challenges, and continue to deliver the heartfelt, caring service for which our brand is famous,” said Erwann Mahe, Managing Director of International Operations – Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

“Tripadvisor’s awards are always especially pleasing to receive, as they are based on the actual experiences and opinions of our guests. The fact that we achieved so many Travelers’ Choice Awards this year is real vote of confidence, and shows that our hotels are continuing to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations. I would like to thank every one of our team members for their amazing efforts in the last 12 months,” Erwann added.

• Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels and Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

The Travelers’ Choice Award winners represent the most exceptional hotels and resorts around the world, in terms of their Tripadvisor reviews and ratings over a 12-month period. They are among the top 10% of all listings on Tripadvisor.

The full list of Best Western’s Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winners is as follows:

Indonesia

• Best Western Kamala Jimbaran, Bali
• Best Western Kindai Hotel, Banjarmasin
• Best Western Mangga Dua Hotel & Residence, Jakarta
• Best Western Senayan, Jakarta
• Best Western The Lagoon Hotel, Manado
• Best Western Premier Agung Resort, Ubud, Bali
• Best Western Premier La Grande Hotel, Bandung
• Best Western Premier Solo Baru, Surakarta
• Best Western Premier The Hive, Jakarta

Japan

• Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akihabara
• Best Western Okinawa Kouki Beach
• Best Western Okinawa Onna Beach
• Best Western Osaka Tsukamoto
• Best Western Yokohama
• Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Chitose
• Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Osaka Kitahama
• The Hotel Nagasaki, BW Premier Collection by Best Western

Laos

• SureStay Hotel by Best Western Vientiane

Malaysia

• Best Western i-City Shah Alam

Myanmar

• Best Western Chinatown Hotel, Yangon
• Best Western Green Hill Hotel, Yangon

Thailand

• Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort
• Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa
• Best Western Plus At 20 Sukhumvit
• Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Airport, BW Premier Collection by Best Western
• SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Sukhumvit 2
• Tawaravadee Resort, BW Signature Collection by Best Western
• Vīb Best Western Sanam Pao

The Philippines

• Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort, Panglao
• SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western AC LUXE Angeles City

Vietnam

• Best Western Premier Sonasea Phu Quoc

For more information about Best Western Hotels & Resorts in Asia, please visit www.BestWesternAsia.com.

Jabal Akhdar, Oman, July 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has expanded its presence in the Middle East with the opening of dusitD2 Naseem Resort, Jabal Akhdar – the first Dusit-branded hotel in Oman. Deluxe family-friendly resort uniquely puts guests next to a brand new Adventure Park on the stunning Saiq Plateau, just five minutes from the renowned ‘Grand Canyon of the Middle East.

Owned by the Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN), which is the executive arm of the Sultanate for tourism development, the deluxe resort is located within a brand new 8,000 sq m Adventure Park on the Saiq Plateau in the Jabal Akhdar area, just a five-minute drive from the ‘Grand Canyon of the Middle East,’ and two hours by car from Muscat International Airport.

Comprising 252 beautifully decorated rooms and suites, the contemporary resort fully embraces its unique mountain location with a spacious layout that blends seamlessly with its stunning natural surrounds.

Alongside breathtaking views, guests can enjoy a wide range of facilities, including an all-day dining restaurant, a fitness centre, and a large outdoor swimming pool. A specialty restaurant, a Kids Club, and a signature Namm spa offering traditional Thai-inspired massage therapies and treatments are set to open later in the year. Dusit’s new group-wide wellness concept and approach will also be introduced to weave well-being elements throughout the stay experience. With a focus on physical vitality and mental health, this unparalleled approach will include the provision of mountain running, yoga, pilates, Thai boxing, guided meditation workshops, and other experiences and events that harness nature, sustainability, and adventure, to deliver healthy fun for adults and children alike.

The resort is also well-equipped for future business events and social gatherings, with a grand ballroom that can cater for up to 150 guests, and several adjoining meeting rooms featuring the latest audio-visual equipment.

The Adventure Park, slated to open later in the year, will feature exciting activities to delight visitors of all ages, such as zip-line rides offering impressive views of the surrounding valley. A petting zoo and science centre where budding young Einsteins can get to grips with all kinds of fun experiments are also set to open when the world reopens to international travel.

To uniquely link guests with the location, dusitD2 Naseem Resort, Jabal Akhdar will also soon offer educational hiking, cycling and quad biking tours to ancient forts, traditional markets and other local attractions, such as the historic town of Nizwa, known as the ‘Pearl of Islam.’

Alongside Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality, all guests also benefit from Dusit’s carefully crafted ‘Dusit Care’ services. Designed to offer ultimate peace of mind, these go beyond enhanced hygiene protocols to deliver additional convenience, experience and value while maximising guest safety. Flexible check-in, anytime breakfast, and mobile payment methods are just some of the services offered.

“We are delighted to make our Oman debut with this vibrant resort which showcases the heritage, culture and visual splendour of the destination in truly distinctive fashion,” said Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, Dusit International. “From enriching wellness experiences and exciting dining journeys to adventurous excursions and a wide range of exhilarating activities, dusitD2 Naseem Resort, Jabal Akhdar has all the elements in place to provide a highly memorable vacation for visitors of all ages. Bright days are on the horizon for international travel, and we look forward to making the property a resounding success.”

Mr Gerhard Stutz, General Manager, dusitD2 Naseem Resort, Jabal Akhdar, said, “Uniquely blending Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with local customs and traditions, our resort provides unparalleled access to wonder and adventure in a gorgeous location surrounded by breathtaking mountains and valleys. It’s truly a distinctive proposition for travellers, and we look forward to leveraging our unique position and offerings to deliver amazing vacation experiences that help to put the area on the map as a must-visit destination to the benefit of our broader community.”

About Dusit International
Established in 1948, Dusit International is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Building on its two core areas of business – Hotels & Resorts and Hospitality Education – the company has expanded its operations over the past four years to comprise five business units. The additional units include Foods, Property Development, and Hospitality-Related Services. Today, the company’s property portfolio comprises more than 300 distinctive hotels, resorts and luxury villas operating under six brands across 15 countries worldwide, as well as two leading hospitality colleges with campuses in Thailand and the Philippines. Following a three-pronged strategy for sustainable growth, including balance, expansion and diversification, the company has recently expanded into food production, on-demand hospitality services, and property development to reach new markets and add further recurring streams of revenue to the company.

About OMRAN
Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN) was established in 2005 by the Government as the executive arm of the Sultanate responsible for delivering the objectives contained in 2040 National Tourism Strategy. OMRAN works closely with the Ministry of Tourism and other governmental entities to identify priorities, projects and opportunities that will maximise the potential of the Sultanate’s tourism sector.

OMRAN creates sustainable and authentic tourism assets, lifestyle communities and destinations that drive economic growth and contribute to diversification of the economy.

Madrid, Spain, July 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The global vaccination rollout and increased adoption of digital solutions for safe travel should lead to a rise in international mobility over the weeks and months ahead, the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) indicates.

According to the newest edition of the Travel Restrictions Report from the United Nations specialized agency for tourism, as of 1 June, 29% of all destinations worldwide have their borders completely closed to international tourism. Of these, more than half have been completely closed to tourists for since May 2020 or longer, with the majority of these belonging to the Small Island Development States of Asia and the Pacific. In comparison, just three destinations (Albania, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic) are completely open to tourists, with no restrictions now in place.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Evidence-based measures and cooperation

Governments are instrumental for the restart and recovery of tourism through collaboration, use of data and digital solutions

One in three (34%) of all destinations are partially closed, and 36% request a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival, in some cases in combination with a requirement to quarantine. The data confirms the trend towards destinations adopting more nuanced, evidence-and-risk-based approaches to restrictions on travel, particularly in light of the evolving epidemiological situation and the emergence of new variants of the virus. Indeed, 42% of all destinations have introduced specific restrictions for visitors from destinations with variants of concern ranging from the suspension of flights and closing of borders to compulsory quarantine.

Additionally, since most of those destinations with the strictest measures have some of the lowest rates of vaccination, the data also indicates a link between vaccination speed and easing of restrictions. In comparison, those destinations that have higher rates of vaccination and where countries are able to work together on harmonized rules and protocols such as those being employed in the Schengen area of the European Union, are better-placed to allow tourism to slowly return.

“Governments are instrumental for the restart and recovery of tourism through collaboration, use of data and digital solutions”, says UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili:

Different paces

Regional differences with regards to travel restrictions remain. 70% of all destinations in Asia and the Pacific are completely closed, compared with just 13% in Europe, as well as 20% in the Americas, 19% in Africa and 31% in the Middle East.

Assessing current requirements for vaccinated passengers, 17% of all destinations worldwide specifically mention vaccinated passengers in their regulations. In most cases, travel restrictions continue to apply to fully vaccinated passengers (who have received two doses of an approved vaccine), though in others, all restrictions are lifted. UNWTO expects that this will significantly evolve over the coming weeks.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

The report indicates that the restart of global tourism will remain muted so long as governments continue to advise caution. Four of the 10 top source markets keep advising their citizens against non-essential travel abroad (these four generated 25% of all international arrivals in 2018).

Lisbon, Portugal, July 6, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Visit Portugal and the city of Reguengos de Monsaraz announce dates for the 5th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism.

• Discover Portugal’s Best Fine Vineyards at Top25Vineyards.com here.

Following the success of the past four editions, the Conference will take place on 9-10 September 2021, in Reguengos de Monsaraz in the Alentejo region, in collaboration with the Government of Portugal.

Held under the theme ‘Wine Tourism – a driver for rural development’ in a hybrid format to welcome delegates from all around the world, the Conference will focus on the contribution of wine tourism to social and economic regional integration and its great potential to generate development opportunities in rural destinations.

I thank Portugal’s support to accelerate the recovery of the sector

UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili says: “It is now more important than ever to support wine tourism and I am confident that this event will represent a unique opportunity to share experiences that face up these challenging times and place the two sectors at the center of recovery, particularly for the benefit of rural communities. I thank Portugal’s support to accelerate the recovery of the sector.”

The Minister of State, Economy and Digital Transition, Pedro Siza Vieira, aims to position the country “As one of the top destinations in wine tourism, which is a main strategic asset for Portugal due to its ability to attract a highly qualified tourist with high purchasing power, allowing for multiple attraction anchors throughout the territory and throughout the year, thus contributing to territorial cohesion and reducing seasonality. Wine tourism’s development in central in the Recovery Plan (Reactivate Tourism | Build the Future) for the Tourism sector but the dynamization of this product also has a specific and dedicated action plan. The aforementioned Plan will contribute to the enhancement of wine tourism, wine itself and will be a very important contribution to creating more value and employment in these regions.

• Discover Portugal’s Best Fine Vineyards at Top25Vineyards.com here.

Mayor off the Municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz, José Calixto, says: “Welcome everyone to one of the richest wine regions in Portugal! Reguengos de Monsaraz and Alentejo are a territory experienced and felt by Man for over 9,000 years. We are valued by a unique intangible heritage, very hospitable people, high quality wines that are part of our identity and several excellent wine tourism activities, allow unforgettable experiences. We would like to share them with you!”.

Since 2016, the Conference has highlighted the importance of wine tourism to the socio-economic development of destinations and has served as a platform to exchange experiences, identify good practices and promote wine tourism as a tool for sustainable development.

London, United Kingdom, July 6, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Asia Pacific was the region hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic according to the new annual Economic Trends Report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The report reveals the full dramatic impact of travel restrictions designed to curb COVID-19 on the global economy, individual regions, and its job losses worldwide.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

Asia-Pacific was the worst performing region, with the sector’s contribution to GDP dropping a damaging 53.7%, compared to the global fall of 49.1%.

International visitor spending was particularly hard hit across Asia Pacific, falling by 74.4%, as many countries across the region closed their borders to inbound tourists. Domestic spending witnessed a lower but equally punishing decline of 48.1%.

Travel & Tourism employment in the region fell by 18.4%, equating to a shocking 34.1 million jobs.

However, despite this decline, Asia-Pacific remained the largest region for the sector’s employment in 2020, accounting for 55% (151 million) of all global Travel & Tourism jobs.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President WTTC, said: “WTTC data has laid bare the devastating impact the pandemic has had on Travel & Tourism around the world, leaving economies battered, millions without jobs and many more fearing for their future. 

“Our annual Economic Trends Report shows just how much each region has suffered at the hands of the crushing travel restrictions brought in to control the spread of COVID-19.

“WTTC believes governments around the world should take advantage of their vaccine rollouts, which could significantly ease travel restrictions on travel, and help power the wider global economic recovery.”

The report also revealed the European Travel & Tourism sector suffered the second biggest economic collapse last year, dropping 51.4% (€987 BN).

This significant and damaging decline was in part due to continuing mobility restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.

The report showed domestic spending in Europe declined by 48.4%, offset by some intra-regional travel, however international spending fell at an even sharper rate, by 63.8%.

Despite this, Europe remained the top global region for international visitor spending.

However, Travel & Tourism employment still suffered across the Continent, falling 9.3%, equating to a dramatic loss of 3.6 million jobs.

Travel & Tourism GDP in Africa dropped 49.2% in 2020, in line with the global average.

Domestic spending declined by 42.8%, while international spending saw a much steeper contraction at 66.8%.

In terms of employment losses, Africa suffered disproportionately more than other regions, falling 29.3%, representing a staggering 7.2 million jobs.

Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP in the Middle East decreased significantly in 2020, dropping 51.1%.

While domestic spending declined 42.8%, international spending saw a much steeper fall of 70.3%, in part driven by severe restrictions.

The region, which was highly reliant on international tourism in 2019, saw international spending as a share of total Travel & Tourism spending drop from 62% of the total in 2019 to just 46% in 2020. However, domestic spending grew in share, from 38% of the total in 2019 to 54% in 2020.

Despite a 42.4% decline in Travel & Tourism GDP in 2020, the Americas was the least affected major region globally.

As a result, it remained the largest region in terms of its economic importance, accounting for 35% of global direct Travel & Tourism GDP.

While domestic spending dropped by 38.9%, international spending saw a significantly sharper decline of 72.1% due to severe travel restrictions on inbound visitors.

The Caribbean, which is as a region highly reliant upon international visitors, was the worst affected ‘sub-region’ globally. Its Travel & Tourism GDP fell 58% last year, from 14.1% of its total economy in 2019, to just 6.4% in 2020.

The WTTC Economic Trends Report shows how the Travel & Tourism sector enables socio-economic development, job creation, and significant positive social impact, including providing unique opportunities to women, minorities, and youth.

It suggests that the sector will pivot and adapt to ultimately return stronger post COVID-19, identifying trends already gaining traction and exploring the shifts that may be required to sustain Travel & Tourism in the future.

From a demand perspective, COVID-19 is transforming traveller inclinations and behaviours toward the familiar, predictable, trusted and towards perceived ‘low risk’ destinations. According to the report, more regional holidays, with extensive research and planning, and the great outdoors, will reign in the short-term.

COVID-19 is also proving to be a catalyst in the Travel & Tourism sector’s quest for innovation and the integration of new technologies such as biometrics, which would enable a more seamless traveller experience.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

As global Travel & Tourism starts seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and work to accelerate the resumption of safe international travel takes place, it is essential the sector rebuilds trust to travel. While the pent-up demand is significant, ever-changing travel restrictions have affected consumer confidence to book.

WTTC, which has continually been at the forefront in leading the private sector in the efforts to rebuild global consumer confidence, advocates the need for an internationally coordinated, consistent, and transparent approach to enable safe travel.

Having clear and coordinated health & hygiene protocols would support the sector in rebuilding traveller confidence and allow for international travel to resume and recover swiftly.