When will international tourism return? United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reports that nearly 30% of countries are still closed to tourists.
But mass vaccination around the world and the wider adoption of digital technologies will lead to more international travel in the coming weeks and months.
As of June 1, 29 percent of all countries and destinations are still completely closed to international tourism, of which more than half are from May 2020 or beyond. Most of these countries are located in the Asia-Pacific region. Only three countries in the world are fully open to tourists without restrictions - Albania, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.
34% of countries are partially closed, and 36% of them require a coronavirus test and sometimes quarantine.
“Since most countries with the most stringent travel restrictions have the lowest vaccination rates, we see a link between vaccination rates and relaxation of restrictions,” the UNWTO said.
She notes that 70% of destinations in the Asia-Pacific region are now closed, while only 13% in Europe. In the Americas, this figure is 20%, in Africa – 19%, in the Middle East – 31%.
In four of the 10 countries considered the world’s top tourist destinations, which accounted for 25% of all international arrivals before the pandemic, governments continue to discourage non-essential travel, including for tourism.
Source: tourism.interfax