Before the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism used to be a flourishing, fast-growing sector of the economy due to an influx of international tourists that rose higher and higher every year. Tourism is a vital part of economic growth as it contributes hugely to the gross domestic product of all the world countries. Tourism also served as a source of employment for many people.
The Covid-19 pandemic led to a shutdown of this industry in 2020 due to the fast spread of the virus. The government imposed travel restrictions, airplanes and hotels were closed. Although this was a good way of keeping society safe, it ended some people’s careers as they were laid off since there was a shut down in the industry. People affected include hoteliers, tourist guides, travel agents, among others.
The effect of Covid-19 on global travel and tours include:
1. Closure of Airlines
Airlines were affected badly, and there was a global loss in this sector in 2020. People weren’t allowed to travel, so it cost airlines so much less. Different airlines became bankrupt and retrenched their employees and are now struggling with restructuring. For other airlines where the situation was too difficult, they had to stop business. Now that the restrictions have been lifted, these airlines are suddenly finding their feet again. Feedback on Collected.Reviews show how airlines were affected by the pandemic.
2. The Closure of Borders
Globally, covid-19 was spreading too rapidly that the government of most countries immediately closed their borders. This closure had a significant effect on the tourism sector and led to an economic recession in most countries. The suspension of necessary flights put a halt in the business sector to contain the pandemic.
3. The Decline in International Tourists Visits
Before the pandemic, an increasing number of international tourists were going to visit various tourist centers over the world. In the year 2020, international tourists’ visits went down by over twenty percent in the first quarter of the year and almost seventy percent by the first half. This decline was due to people fearing for their health, and there was also a travel ban placed on flights to countries with high Covid-19 cases.
4. A Brutal Hit to the Global Hospitality Sector
The closure of borders and restriction of movement has taken a toll on the hospitality sector’s hotel industry. Hotels are considered public places and are one of the ‘hotspots’ of the covid-19 transmission. Statistics on global hospitality and hotel occupancy show a massive decline in the first half of 2020 where the covid-19 started spreading rapidly compared to an increase in 2019. Declines in revenue per room, room occupancy, average daily rate, revenue, and taxes were all affected badly by the pandemic.
As border restrictions have been eased globally, many measures have been put in place to ensure the safety well-being of international tourists. The use of hygiene stamps also allows hotels, airlines, railways, car rentals and restaurants have been implemented. These hospitality sectors also have a role to play to ensure there isn’t an outbreak of the virus.