Published in: The Business Standard
Date: 11 September, 2020

The report includes key data on the health and hygiene infrastructure of the destinations, while also analysing the rate of notifications of new Covid-19 cases

A majority of global tourist destinations (53 percent) have now started easing travel restrictions that were imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, said The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

In its report titled “Covid-19 Related Travel Restrictions: A Global Review for Tourism”, the UNWTO said the gradual restart of tourism is ongoing despite the cautions about the development of the pandemic. According to the report, which collected data till September 1, “A total of 115 destinations (53 percent of all destinations worldwide) have eased travel restrictions, an increase of 28 since 19 July. Of these, two have lifted all restrictions, while the remaining 113 continue to have certain restrictive measures in place.”

The report includes key data on the health and hygiene infrastructure of the destinations, while also analysing the rate of notifications of new Covid-19 cases.

It shows that destinations which have eased travel restrictions generally have high or very high levels of health and hygiene infrastructure. They also tend to have comparatively low infection rates. According to the report, within advanced economies, 79 percent of tourism destinations have already eased restrictions. In emerging economies, just 47 percent of destinations have done so.

Some 93 destinations (43 percent of all worldwide destinations) continue to have their borders completely closed to tourism, of which 27 have had their borders completely closed for at least 30 weeks, it said. The UNWTO report further stated that more than half of all destinations with borders completely closed to tourism are classified as being among the World’s Most Vulnerable Countries.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said, “Starting to ease restrictions on travel opens also the doors for tourism’s social and economic benefits to return. While we must remain vigilant and cautious, we are concerned about those destinations with ongoing full travel restrictions, especially where tourism is a lifeline and economic and social development are under threat.”

Source: https://tbsnews.net/coronavirus-chronicle/more-50pc-global-tourist-destinations-ease-travel-restrictions-unwto-131419