Para se ter ideia da gravidade da situação, estão

fechados 83% dos destinos turísticos da Europa;

na América o isolamento chega a 80%; 70%

nos países asiáticos; 62% no Oriente

Médio e 57% na África.

Apesar der certas particularidades, o estudo demonstrou que sofreu restrição a totalidade da atividade turística mundial. Alguns chegam a esclamar que é um prejuízo incalculável com reflexos muito severos social e economicamente.

Especialistas estão acompanhando as discussões sobre as medidas destinadas a superar essa situação. Sem uma atitude coordenada e conjunta, as proibições de viagens continuam no cenário internacional.

Sugere o secretário-geral da UNWTO Zurab Pololikashvili que é preciso os governos tomarem decisões quanto mais breves possíveis para salvar milhares de empregos e a própria saúde de pessoas envolvidas no segmento, para existência sustentável e a bem do desenvolvimento.

Opening the world up to tourism again

will save jobs, protect livelihoods and

enable our sector to resume its vital role

in driving sustainable development

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism has been the hardest hit of all the major sectors as countries lockdown and people stay at home. UNWTO calls on governments to work together to coordinate the easing and lifting of restrictions in a timely and responsible manner, when it is deemed safe to do so. Tourism is a lifeline to millions, especially in the developing world. Opening the world up to tourism again will save jobs, protect livelihoods and enable our sector to resume its vital role in driving sustainable development.”

Restrictions in all regions

The UNWTO research tracks measures taken since the end of January, when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Breaking the research down by region, UNWTO has found that 83% of destinations in Europe have introduced complete closure of borders for international tourism. In the Americas, this proportion stands at 80%, in Asia and the Pacific it is 70%, in the Middle East it is 62% and in Africa it is 57%. 

Responsible ee-opening

UNWTO has been working closely with international organizations, national governments and the private sector, to support the responsible and timely recovery of tourism. Within the past two weeks, UNWTO Secretary-General has addressed Ministers of the G20 and of the EU Commission, making the case for tourism to be made a priority as countries look to recover from the crisis.