The beginning of 2021 showed a severe fall in tourism as new cases outbreaks continued to hit the world and countries tightened travel restrictions. A new study informed that international tourist arrivals fell 87% in January and destinations such as the New 7 Wonders of the World and Nature seem to be key in the recovery.
The World Tourism Organization presented an inform in which it released numbers from tourism around the globe and revealed that the Asia and the Pacific region was the most affected one since it registered a 96% drop, followed by Europe and Africa that showed a decline of 85%. The Middle East ranked fourth with a 84% and the Americas fifth with a decrease of 77%.
The report also outlined two possible scenarios for a travel rebound during the second half of 2021, relaying on several factors such as “the lifting of travel restrictions, the success of vaccination programmes or the introduction of harmonized protocols”.
According to the World Tourism Organization Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, “the international community needs to take strong and urgent action to ensure a brighter 2021. 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.”