The tourism industry lost $320 billion i🃏n revenues in the first five months of the year as international travel came to a standstill during the pandemic, according to the This is more than three times the loss during the Global Economic Criܫsis of 2009. International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) saw a decrease of 56%, or 300 million fewer people, compared to the same period in 2019. It was 98% lower in May when compared to 2019.

There have been signs of a gradual and cautious change in trend, but confidence is low. A little over half the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Panel of Experts believe international tourism will only recover in the second half of 2021. Domestic tourism, however, is expected to resume much faster. Half of respondents see a recoᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚvery by the second half of 2020, in line with the re♕start of tourism in many destinations in June and July. The remaining half expect a recovery throughout 2021.

According to th🐽e latest analysis from the UNWTO, 40% of all destinations worldwide have now eased the restrictions they placed on international tourism in response to COVID-19. This is up from 22% of destinations on 15 June and 3% on 15 May. Of the 87 destinations that have now eased travel restrictions, just four have completely lifted a💃ll restrictions, while 83 have eased them while keeping some measures such as the partial closure of borders in place. 

Major international airlines like American and United Air Lines, have lost billions of dollars in revenue and have cut their flight schedules to trim expense👍s. Despite those cuts, airlines h🔴ave been laying off workers and calling for voluntary retirements among their white-collar workforces.

“This latest data makes clear the importance of restarting tourism as soon as it is safe to do so," said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. "The dramatic fall in international tourism places many millions of livelihoods at risk, including in developing countries. Governments in every world region have a dual responsibility: to prioritize public health while also protecting jobs and businesses."