Category: Latest Travel News

Madrid, Spain, April 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched a new competition to identify the best ideas that will help rural communities recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Global Rural Tourism Startup Competition will also support the entrepreneurs and enterprises that can help rural communities seize the economic and social opportunities that will come as tourism restarts.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Latest Updates here.

The United Nations specialized agency has recorded rising interest in unique and authentic travel experiences, including in nature-based and outdoors tourism. With this trend expected to accelerate as tourism restarts, the Startup Competition is looking for those ideas that will help ensure rural communities are best-placed to benefit. The competition will also look for ideas that will help build resilience in rural communities.

The Competition aims to support rural tourism as a key tool to fight depopulation, promote inclusion and reduce regional inequalities in income and development as part of UNWTO’s special focus on tourism for rural development.

Applications are now open for four categories:

• People –Leaving no one behind: Projects that incentivize the creation of jobs and opportunities, promote gender and youth empowerment, and build opportunities for vulnerable groups in rural areas.
• Planet – Building back better Projects related to the promotion and protection of natural resources, including addressing tourism’s impact on climate change, we as well as waste and resource consumption.
• Prosperity- opportunities for growth Startups that provide innovative solutions through new business models, instruments that promote access to finance, markets and marketing for tourism in rural areas.
• Propulsion of Rural Tech – Implementation of new technologies to advance tourism and development in rural areas.

The deadline for applications is 1 July 2021. Winners will be invited to take part in the UNWTO General Assembly, to be held in Marrakesh, Morocco, this October.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Latest Updates here.

The new competition builds on the success of UNWTO’s search for the best startups in Spain. That initiative saw more than 150 projects put forward for consideration, with the winners receiving mentorship and support from the Spanish Government and Google. For this global edition UNWTO welcomes Viajes National Geographic as its media partner. It also enjoys the support of key institutional collaborators, namely Air Europa and Wakalua as Travel Partners alongside Amazon Web Services Activate, HèPic, Impact Hub, the International Trade Centre, Fademur, The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of Spain, NEST Portugal, Telefonica Open Future and the TUI Care Foundation.

For more information and to apply, visit the UNWTO Startup Competitions and Challenges webpage.

Singapore, April 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed Singapore’s acceptance of pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test results on the IATA Travel Pass.

From 1 May 2021, passengers traveling to Singapore will be able to use IATA Travel Pass to share their pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test results upon check-in with their airline, as well as on-arrival at the immigration checkpoints at Changi Airport. This is part of an ongoing collaboration between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and IATA to facilitate seamless and efficient travel through digital certificates of COVID-19 tests.

“Having the confidence of an aviation leader like Singapore accept IATA Travel Pass is hugely significant. Ongoing trials put us on track for IATA Travel Pass to be a critical tool for the industry’s restart by delivering verified travel health credentials to governments. And travelers can have complete confidence that their personal data is secure and under their own control. The success of our joint efforts will make IATA’s partnership with the government of Singapore a model for others to follow,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“We have built upon our long standing and deep partnership with IATA to develop solutions to facilitate travel. This latest collaboration with IATA demonstrates our shared commitment to drive the adoption of digital health certificates and restore international air travel. As we look to safely rebuild the Changi air hub, we will continue to explore other solutions that can provide similarly secure and verifiable means of sharing health certificates for safe international travel,” said Kevin Shum, CAAS Director-General.

Digital health certificates will be a key feature in air travel moving forward. Establishing trusted, secure solutions to verify the health credentials of travellers will be critical in facilitating smooth air travel and safeguarding public health. The IATA Travel Pass is a personal secure digital wallet solution that can be used by passengers to obtain and store their COVID-19 test results from accredited laboratories.

Following the successful trials by Singapore Airlines, the Singapore health and border control authorities will accept the IATA Travel Pass as a valid form of presentation of COVID-19 pre-departure test results for entry into Singapore. The information presented on the IATA Travel Pass will be in a format that satisfies Singapore’s prevailing COVID-19 pre-departure test requirements for entry into Singapore.

More than 20 airlines have announced trials of the IATA Travel Pass.

Travelers to Singapore intending to use the IATA Travel Pass should check with the airline they are travelling with for eligibility to use the IATA Travel Pass.

Houston, Texas, United States, April 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / SpaceFund announced it has reached and surpassed the planned first close of $5 million for its $20 million BlastOff Fund today. The Houston and Austin-based company says commitments to the fund have reached $9 million as of Monday morning.

“We are thrilled to see how many investors are placing their trust in our team,” said SpaceFund founder Rick Tumlinson. “We spent a lot of time slowly and carefully developing our processes and credibility, so we can better serve both investors and the amazing space startup community, and it’s paying off.”

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SpaceFund began life at the end of 2019, announcing its first LaunchPad fund in the fall of that year. The proof-of-concept fund closed in August of 2020 and has already invested in 13 exciting space startup companies. Continuing SpaceFund’s strategic plan, the BlastOff Fund will build on those investments and expand the firm’s portfolio with larger investments, including some in later-stage companies.

“SpaceFund is about combining a bold approach with a very conservative diligence and investment process,” said SpaceFund managing partner Meagan Crawford. “The BlastOff Fund continues our careful growth plan but is designed to accelerate our ability to place investment into those companies that are leading the Space Revolution.”

The BlastOff Fund was helped in its ignition by billionaire digital finance innovator Jed McCaleb, creator of the Stellar protocol, who anchored the BlastOff Fund. A well-known visionary leader in the cryptocurrency world, McCaleb is also a believer in the rise of the NewSpace industry and commercial space.

According to McCaleb: “I came to SpaceFund to ask questions because they are seen as credible thought leaders in the space investment industry. By the time we finished talking, it was clear they were an obvious choice to help me invest in this amazing field.”

“Jed is a well-informed investor and one who deeply cares about the future of space and humanity,” added Crawford. “He is exactly the kind of investor we hope to attract into the SpaceFund family. For us, this isn’t just about money. It is about how we can best impact the future. Jed and the other investors in the fund get that.”

“There is a reason we call this the BlastOff fund,” concluded Tumlinson. “Anyone who follows what is happening in space can see that after almost 60 years, this industry is taking off. Our job is to help investors climb aboard the right companies to carry them to their financial destinations as we open the Frontier.”

• Currently maybe for sale, the one and only global space domain name, madeinspace.com – enquire here…

If you are an accredited investor and are as excited about what’s happening in space as we are, please reply to this email to learn more about SpaceFund’s proprietary data, unique market insights, and unparalleled deal flow. You can also acquire the very unique and outstanding domain name: madeinspace.com

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 6, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / WISeKey to launch the NFT auction of the original SWATCH created for the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, on Earth Day, April 22, 2021. This unique, first-off-the-line watch, designed by Maurice Strong under the theme “It’s in our Hands” it was given to his widow Hanne Strong, by the wife of the founder of Swatch Nicolas Hayek.

WISeKey International Holding Ltd (WISeKey), a leading global cybersecurity, AI, Blockchain and IoT company, today announced that in cooperation with SUNx Strong Universal Network (SUNx), a global initiative aiming to build Climate Friendly Travel, will launch the first ever “Climate Change and Sustainability Non-Fungible Token (NFT) and support the People’s Summit which will bring 150 non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Established as legacy to Maurice Strong, a climate activist and sustainable development pioneer, SUNx’s agenda is in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. On April 22, 2021, WISeKey in cooperation with SUNx will launch the NFT auction of the original SWATCH created for the 1992 Rio Earth Summit by WISeKey on Earth Day, April 22, 2021.

Maurice Strong was a trailblazing environmentalist who helped organized both the 1972 Stockholm and 1992 Rio UN conferences on the environment, as well as the establishment of the United Nations Environment Program, and the Canadian International Development Agency.

The SUNx ” Climate Friendly Travel “program is under the supervision and coordination of Professor Geoffrey Lipman with the support of Hanne Strong. Mr. Lipman, a former Assistant Secretary General at UNWTO and President WTTC, currently serves as Chairman of the Green Growth & Travelism Institute (GGTI), an EU based not-for-profit organization and is President of SUNx. . Ms. Strong is Chairwoman of the Manitou Foundation, a US based charity she created with her husband, as a global Centre for Spiritual and Indigenous Research and Advancement.

WISeKey, was the first company in the world to use dual factor authentication combined with NFT to auction a luxury watch, the company has adapted this technology to digitally sign historical pictures issuing their digital twin digitally signed by the original certificate of provenance employing this unique technology to integrate semiconductors tags powered with its VaultIC154 NFC secure element and provide brands with the ability of:

– issuing a storage device comprising of a digital certificate of authenticity
– checking, when required, the validity of the digital certificate of authenticity
– modifying, when required, the status of validity of the digital certificate of authenticity.

Dematerialization and creation of a Digital Twin with its corresponded NFT: these tags, when placed on any product and tapped by an NFC phone, securely authenticate, and track the product much like an embedded ePassport and confirm the identity of the product on the blockchain ledger.

About WISekey
WISeKey is a leading global cybersecurity company currently deploying large scale digital identity ecosystems for people and objects using Blockchain, AI and IoT respecting the Human as the Fulcrum of the Internet. WISeKey Microprocessors Secures the pervasive computing shaping today’s Internet of Everything. WISeKey IoT has an install base of over 1.5 billion microchips in virtually all IoT sectors (connected cars, smart cities, drones, agricultural sensors, anti-counterfeiting, smart lighting, servers, computers, mobile phones, crypto tokens etc.). WISeKey is uniquely positioned to be at the edge of IoT as our semiconductors produce a huge amount of Big Data that, when analysed with Artificial Intelligence (AI), can help industrial applications to predict failure of their equipment before it happens.

Our technology is Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey’s Swiss based cryptographic Root of Trust (“RoT”) provides secure authentication and identification, in both physical and virtual environments, for the Internet of Things, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. The WISeKey RoT serves as a common trust anchor to ensure the integrity of online transactions among objects and between objects and people.

Lucerne, Switzerland, April 4, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Forum Lucerne announced that the Innovation Festival, Moving Forward, will not go ahead as planned on 29-30 April.

Unfortunately, the Swiss government has ongoing restrictions on physical events, therefore we have no choice but to postpone the Innovation Festival. It will now take place from 15-16 November 2021.

However, instead of the in-person event we were hoping to hold in Andermatt, we’ll be running a 90 minute online event that can be joined by anyone, anywhere in the world. We’d be delighted if you would sign up for this Free Online Meetup which will take place on 29 April from 16:30 to 18:00 CET.

The Online Meetup will bring together thought leaders, visionaries, industry experts and investors to discuss the industry’s current challenges and share novel ideas. With the crisis comes a great opportunity for change. Now is the time to actively shape the tourism of the future and give it fresh impetus.

Geneva, Switzerland, April 5, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged governments to accept best-in-class rapid antigen tests in fulfillment of COVID -19 testing requirements following the publication of new research by OXERA and Edge Health.

The OXERA-Edge Health report, commissioned by IATA, found that antigen tests are:

• Accurate: The best antigen tests provide broadly comparable results to PCR tests in accurately identifying infected travelers. The BinaxNOW antigen test, for example, misses just one positive case in 1000 travellers (based on an infection rate of 1% among travelers). And it has similarly comparable performance to PCR tests in levels of false negatives.
• Convenient: Processing times for antigen tests are 100 times faster than for PCR testing
• Cost-efficient: Antigen tests are, on average, 60% cheaper than PCR tests.

“Restarting international aviation will energize the economic recovery from COVID-19. Along with vaccines, testing will play a critical role in giving governments the confidence to re-open their borders to travelers. For governments, the top priority is accuracy. But travelers will also need tests to be convenient and affordable. The OXERA-Edge Health report tells us that the best-in-class antigen tests can tick all these boxes. It’s important for governments to consider these findings as they make plans for a re-start,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

Options
Testing requirements are currently fragmented, which is confusing to travelers. Moreover, many governments do not allow rapid testing. If the only options available for travelers are PCR tests, these come with significant costs disadvantages and inconvenience. And in some parts of the world, PCR testing capacity is limited, with first priority correctly given to clinical use.

“Travelers need options. Including antigen testing among acceptable tests will certainly give strength to the recovery. And the EU’s specification of acceptable antigen tests offers a good baseline for wider international harmonization of acceptable standards. We now need to see governments implement these recommendations. The goal is to have a clear set of testing options that are medically effective, financially accessible, and practically available to all prospective travelers,” said de Juniac.

Costs
If rapid tests are not an option for travelers, significant cost and convenience barriers are created. The OXERA-Edge Health report presented the following analysis:

• The cost of PCR testing can completely alter the economics of travel. A family of four traveling from the UK to the Canary Islands will take a total of 16 tests at a total cost of around GBP1,600 or EUR1,850 – a premium of 160% on top of the average air fare.
• A typical London-Frankfurt business trip sees a cost increase of 59% with the PCR test requirement.
• The modelling shows that based on five routes studied (London-New York, London-Frankfurt, UK-Singapore, UK-Pakistan and Manchester-Canary Islands) the cost impact of PCR testing will reduce demand by an average of 65%. Replacing PCR with antigen testing would still have a cost impact on demand, but at 30%.

Financial barriers will dampen traveler sentiment which already displays some weakness. In a February poll of travelers, 58% said that they will travel less for leisure once the pandemic is contained. The same poll saw 62% of business travelers say they would be traveling less.

Convenience
In addition to dramatically shorter processing times for antigen testing when compared to PCR, the report also pointed to the scarcity of PCR tests. Current spare PCR testing capacity in the UK, for example, would cover only 25% of 2019 passenger levels. This could cause bottlenecks as and when passenger numbers rebound. Adding antigen testing as an acceptable option would help to alleviate this.

‘When international travel reopens testing is likely to remain part of the strategy for controlling COVID. The type of testing regime chosen will make the difference in how quickly the travel industry recovers. The choice of a rapid test would be a real boost to the global travel and international business community, and our research shows it can be as effective as other testing regimes and as effective as a ten-day quarantine,’ said Michele Granatstein, Partner at Oxera and Head of its Aviation Practice.

“We are already seeing rapid testing becoming commonplace in non-travel settings such as schools and workplaces. Extending its use to travel is a logical step. Science backs this up. In real world conditions, antigen testing is as effective as PCR testing in reducing the risk of cross-border transmission. Meanwhile the cost and bureaucracy of PCR tests adds huge burdens to families and businesses looking to travel. These are important considerations in preparing for a successful re-start,” said de Juniac.

Jakarta, Indonesia, April 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Seychelles former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Alain St. Ange, is set to reposition tropical islands tourism in Indonesia. The movement also spearheads the promotion of tourism between AFRICA UNION and ASEAN, said Mr. St Ange.

Indonesia is one among the largest member states in ASEAN, and the Indonesia Tourism is leading the way in their preparations for the much anticipated reopening of the world borders.

Indonesia remains a popular tropical tourism destination, offering cultural diversity, breath-taking natural beauty and world-class accommodation at affordable prices.

Alain St.Ange, the dynamic and very popular Tourism Minister for the Seychelles, and well reputed, seasoned global veteran in all things tourism, was recently ‘poached’ from the small island State to lend his expertise to the development of tourism for the Indonesian Islands, and to assist with the challenging navigation of rebuilding tourism during a global pandemic, as well as post COVID-19.

St.Ange is expected in Indonesia during the month of April.

Alicante, Spain, April 2, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has recognized the Bataller family, founders of the of the SHA Wellness Clinic in Alicante, Spain, for their strong and ongoing commitment to health and medical tourism.

Demand for health and wellbeing-centred experiences is expected to be strong, once tourism is able to resume after the pandemic. The SHA Wellness Clinic has been at the forefront of growing health tourism as a unique and valued part of the sector.

To reflect this, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili has presented the Bataller family with a special recognition, congratulating them and SHA Wellness Clinic for their significant contribution to health and wellbeing tourism and for their firm commitment to the values of UNWTO.

In 2019, UNWTO hosted a High-Level Forum on Medical and Health Tourism in the context of the 23rd General Assembly in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, highlighting its commitment to guiding the responsible growth of this part of the sector.

Bangkok, Thailand, April 1, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Experience the best of Bangkok with these irresistible Bangkok’s staycation deals to book right now from over 50 uber-luxe hotels across the city at “Siam Paragon Bangkok World-Class Staycation Fair,” from 30 March – 8 April 2021 at Fashion Hall, 1st Floor, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. Elevate the change of scenery to the most memorable experience of urban getaway without long-hour drive or delayed flight.

Discover the most valuable deals, whether for a quick romantic weekend getaway, a fulfilling family time or a solo reenergizing holiday. Book now and rejoice in these over-the-top staycation experiences that feature luxury accommodation deals that starts only at THB1,499, whether your dream a romantic night amidst the glittering city skyline or a majestic view of Chao Pharaya River. Or indulge in the vast array of delectable dining options from all-you-can-eat to Michelin-starred fine dining or the city’s most sophisticated bar starts at only THB350 while selections of blissful spa treatments for ultimate unwinding starts at only THB790. Do not miss exclusive deals of the year 2021 at only THB2,021, specially for this event. Members of VIZ Card, the loyalty program for Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery and ICONSIAM are eligible to special VIZ privileges ranging from special and on-top discount to complimentary stay and many more.

“Siam Paragon Bangkok World-Class Staycation Fair” unfolds exclusive offers from five-stars premises such as Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok and Capella Bangkok and discover the best deals from Banyan Tree Bangkok, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, InterContinental Bangkok, JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok, Rosewood Bangkok, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok and W Bangkok.

More perks and offers are also on offered from The Athenee Hotel Bangkok, Anantara Hotels, Avani Hotels, Bangkok Mariott Marquis Queen’s Park, Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, Conrad Bangkok, Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, Hotel Nikko Bangkok, Hilton Hotels, Hotel Indigo, Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, Kimpton Maa-lai Bangkok, Lebua Hotels & Resorts, The Okura Prestige Bangkok, Park Hyatt Bangkok The Peninsula Bangkok, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, The Siam Bangkok, Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok, Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok, SO/ Bangkok Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, The Sukhothai Bangkok and U Bangkok.

Mayuree Chaipromprasith, President – Marketing and Corporate Relations, Siam Paragon Development Co., Ltd, said “Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on Thailand tourism industry. Siam Paragon, as a global destination, frequented by visitors from all over the world, has been taking on a mission to stimulate the economy and support domestic tourism. We have initiated the luxury hotel fairs to supports hoteliers and its employees. “Siam Paragon Bangkok World-Class Staycation Fair” follows the great feedback both from end-consumers and hoteliers, is a fifth successive event in less than a year. The fairs, in no time, have become the most anticipated events as they truly offered valued deals and luxury experience. It is our great pleasure to have generated over 235 million baht to the hotels and tourism sectors and to thousands of people working in the industry so they could support their livings and their families. Importantly, it also boost domestic spending and the country’s economy.”

Don’t miss “Siam Paragon Bangkok World-Class Staycation Fair” and the ultimate staycation packages from Bangkok’s 50 most luxurious hotels, from 30 March – 8 April 2021 at Fashion Hall, 1st Floor, Siam Paragon.

Some of the best offers at Siam Paragon Bangkok World-Class Staycation Fair

Exclusive deals from ultra-luxurious hotels:

– Mandarin Oriental Bangkok: The iconic luxury five-star hotel offers Deluxe Premier Room package at only THB7,999++/night, breakfast included plus 60-minute spa pampering treatment for two. Early check-in privilege from 8.00 hrs. and late-check-out until 20.00 hrs. Or jump start the day with delicious breakfast at only THB999++. Or purchase THB 10,000 dining voucher and enjoy THB12,500 value while 90-minute weekday spa treatment costs only THB1,700.

– Waldorf Astoria Bangkok: Praised as one of the best in Bangkok for its breakfast, best restaurant with stunning view and the most instagrammable swimming pool of the city, this five-star hotel presents weekday Deluxe City Park View stay at THB6,000 net that comes with complimentary THB4,000 credits for the restaurants, bar or spa treatment of choice. Dining vouchers are available at only THB2,000 and receive THB2,500 value, purchase five and get one free voucher.

– Capella Bangkok: The luxury urban Chao Phraya Riverside Resort offers Weekday Escape package at THB 12,900++ plus THB5,000 daily credit. Or opt for Riverside Retreat package on Friday and Saturday night at THB14,900++ and receive THB6,000 credit. Or Luxuriate in the delectable five-courses Mediterranean lunch at Côte by Mauro Colagreco, by the celebrated three Michelin-Starred chef Mauro Colagreco and submerge in a blissful wellness treatment for a 90-minute Healing Touch package at only THB2,200.

THB2,021 promotion packages, available exclusively at Siam Paragon Bangkok World-Class Staycation Fair

– InterContinental Bangkok: Settle into the luxurious comfort of Grand Deluxe Room along with top-tier room facilities while taking in the city vibe at only THB2,021 including savory breakfast for two.

– Siam Kempinski Bangkok offers an elegance afternoon tea experience at only THB2,021 and receive a limited-edition monopoly board game “Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok Edition,” curated specially by renowned toymaker Hasbro.

And the list goes on, at the fair, accommodation promotions starts at only THB1,499/ night at Eastin Thana City Golf Resort Bangkok. Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok offers THB 3,590/night stay, breakfast included, plus THB2,000 hotel credit. Five-star lifestyle hotel W Bangkok offers THB4,000 for two-night stay including breakfast, a Thai-style seafood menu of choice and no extra charge for pet. Or explore the vast array of dining options from all-you-can-eat to Michelin-starred selections to sophisticated bars. Enjoy western taste for lunch at The Diplomat Bar at The Conrad Bangkok that starts only at THB350, or purchase 10 dining vouchers at only THB2,800. Luxuriate in the fine dining experience at Banyan Tree Bangkok’s “Worldtigo Staycation” package at THB7,777 for a 4-course Digital Dining Experience for two at the internationally-celebrated Virtigo that perched 61 storey above the city plus a one night stay at Serenity Room. Siam Kempinski Bangkok offers 8-course dining experience at its one Michelin-starred Sra Bua by Kin Kin at THB7,600 plus free one night stay at Deluxe Room. Or opt for lebua Hotels & Resorts, a home to the largest number of Michelin Star restaurants in the country – Chef’s Table, Mezzaluna or savor the dinner with breathtaking view of the metropolitan at Sirocco or Breeze, starts at THB11,064.

For those looking for a pampering Staycation, almost every hotels offers blissful spa packages, price starts at only THB 790. Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel offers choices of spa treatment from 60-minute Tropical Sand Rain Shower Ritual or body massage. Or enjoy a truly unwinding staycation at Banyan Tree Bangkok for two that includes 60-minutes spa treatment and one night stay (breakfast not included) plus 50-percent discount for dim sum buffet at Bai Yun restaurant and enjoy two sunset drinks at only THB2,899. Explore more luxurious staycation options at Siam Paragon Bangkok World-Class Staycation Fair.

Madrid, Spain, April 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global tourism has carried on into 2021, with new data showing an 87% fall in international tourist arrivals in January as compared to 2020. The outlook for the rest of the year remain cautious as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) continues to call for stronger coordination on travel protocols between countries to ensure the safe restart of tourism and avoid another year of massive losses for the sector.

Following a difficult end to 2020, global tourism suffered further setbacks in the beginning of the year as countries tightened travel restrictions in response to new virus outbreaks. According to the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, all world regions continued to experience large drops in tourist arrivals in the first month of the year. Mandatory testing, quarantines, and in some cases the complete closure of borders, have all hindered the resumption of international travel. In addition, the speed and distribution of the vaccination roll-out have been slower than expected, further delaying the restart of tourism.

All global regions hit hard

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

Asia and the Pacific (-96%), the region which continues to have the highest level of travel restrictions in place, recorded the largest decrease in international arrivals in January. Europe and Africa both saw a decline of 85% in arrivals, while the Middle East recorded a drop of 84%. International arrivals in the Americas decreased by 77% in January, following somewhat better results in the last quarter of the year.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “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.”

Outlook for 2021

With 32% of all global destinations completely closed to international tourists at the beginning of February, UNWTO anticipates a challenging first few months of 2021 for global tourism.

Based on current trends, UNWTO expects international tourist arrivals to be down about 85% in the first quarter of 2021 over the same period of 2019. This would represent a loss of some 260 million international arrivals when compared to pre-pandemic levels. Looking ahead, UNWTO has outlined two scenarios for 2021, which consider a possible rebound in international travel in the second half of the year. These are based on a number of factors, most notably a major lifting of travel restrictions, the success of vaccination programmes or the introduction of harmonized protocols such as the Digital Green Certificate planned by the European Commission.

The first scenario points to a rebound in July, which would result in a 66% increase in international arrivals for the year 2021 compared to the historic lows of 2020. In this case, arrivals would still be 55% below the levels recorded in 2019. The second scenario considers a potential rebound in September, leading to a 22% increase in arrivals compared to last year. Still, this would be 67% below the levels of 2019.