United Nations Secretary-General launched the Policy Brief “COVID-19 and Transforming Tourism”. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) assumed the lead role in producing the brief. UNWTO says that restrictions on travel prevent tourism from delivering on its potential to build a better future for all.
According to a statement by UNWTO, This landmark report makes clear what is at stake – the threat of losing tens of millions of direct tourism jobs. In addition to the loss of opportunities for those vulnerable populations and communities who stand to benefit most from tourism, and the real risk of losing vital resources for safeguarding natural and cultural heritage across the world.
The Maldives is one of the countries in which tourism serves as the backbone of the economy. Likewise, the sector accounts for a majority share of employment for the Maldivian labor force. Tourism also contributes to over a quarter of the country’s GDP and is the source of over two-thirds of the country’s foreign currency income.
Tourism needs to thrive, and this means that travel restrictions must be eased or lifted in a timely and responsible manner. It also means that policy decisions need to be coordinated across borders to face up to a challenge which does not care about borders! “COVID-19 and Transforming Tourism” is a further element in the roadmap for the sector to regain its unique status as a source of hope and opportunity for all.
A statement by the World Tourism Organization read.
COVID-19 has had an immense impact on the socio-economic lives of Maldivians and especially all those associated with its tourism industry. Any sudden changes to the Maldives’ risk level have a significant impact on the industry’s ability to attract visitors and therefore, the rest of the economy. Likewise, the COVID-19 cases are predominantly based in the capital city of Male’ in the Maldives.
