UNWTO Lists 23 Recommendations for Tourism’s Recovery from Covid-19

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on Wednesday released a set of recommendations calling for urgent and strong support to help the global tourism sector not only recover from the unprecedented challenge of coronavirus (Covid-19) but to “grow back better”.

The recommendations are the first output of the newly-formed Global Tourism Crisis Committee, established by UNWTO with high-level representatives from across the tourism sector and from within the wider United Nations system.

Responding today and preparing for tomorrow

Recognizing that tourism and transport has been among the hardest hit of all sectors, the recommendations are designed to support governments, the private sector and the international community in navigating the unparalleled social and economic emergency that is Covid-19.

“These specific recommendations give countries a check-list of possible measures to help our sector sustain the jobs and support the companies at risk at this very moment. Mitigating the impact on employment and liquidity, protecting the most vulnerable and preparing for recovery, must be our key priorities,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

The UNWTO’s new guide provides 23 actionable recommendations, divided into three key areas:

Area 1: Managing the Crisis and Mitigating the Impact

Key recommendations relate to retaining jobs, supporting self-employed workers, ensuring liquidity, promoting skills development and reviewing taxes, charges and regulations relating to travel and tourism.

The Global Tourism Crisis Committee recommends for governments to:

1. Incentivize job retention, sustain the self-employed and protect the most vulnerable groups
2. Support companies’ liquidity
3. Review taxes, charges, levies and regulations impacting transport and tourism
4. Ensure consumer protection and confidence
5. Promote skills development, especially digital skills
6. Include tourism in national, regional and global economic emergency packages
7. Create crisis management mechanisms and strategies

“The recommendations are made as a global economic recession looks likely. Given its labor-intensive nature, tourism will be hard hit, with millions of jobs at risk, especially those held by women and youth as well as marginalised groups,” the UNWTO notes

Area 2: Providing Stimulus and Accelerating Recovery

This set of recommendations emphasises the importance of providing financial stimulus, including favourable tax policies, lifting travel restrictions as soon as the health emergency allows for it, promoting visa facilitation, boosting marketing and consumer confidence, in order to accelerate recovery.

The Global Tourism Crisis Committee recommends for governments to:

8. Provide financial stimulus for tourism investment and operations
9. Review taxes, charges and regulations impacting travel and tourism
10. Advance travel facilitation
11. Promote new jobs and skills development, particularly digital ones
12. Mainstream environmental sustainability in stimulus and recovery packages
13. Understand the market and act quickly to restore confidence and stimulate demand
14. Boost marketing, events and meetings
15. Invest in partnerships
16. Mainstream tourism in national, regional and international recovery programmes and in Development Assistance

Area 3: Preparing for Tomorrow

Emphasising tourism’s unique ability to lead local and national growth, the recommendations call for greater emphasis to be placed on the sector’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Agenda and to build resilience learning from the lessons of the current crisis.

The Global Tourism Crisis Committee recommends for governments to:

17. Diversify markets, products and services
18. Invest in market intelligence systems and digital
transformation
19. Reinforce tourism governance at all levels
20. Prepare for crisis, build resilience and ensure tourism is
part of national emergency mechanism and systems
21. Invest in human capital and talent development
22. Place sustainable tourism firmly on the national agenda
23. Transition to the circular economy and embrace the SDGs

“We still do not know what the full impact of COVID-19 will be on global tourism. However, we must support the sector now while we prepare for it to come back stronger and more sustainable. Recovery plans and programmes for tourism will translate into jobs and economic growth.” added the Secretary-General.

Recognising the diverse realities in each country as well as the evolving nature of this crisis, the document of recommendations will continue to be updated.

The detailed copy of the Recommendations for Action by the Global Tourism Crisis Committee can be seen here.