The tourism economy has been heavily hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and measures introduced to contain its spread. Depending on the duration of the crisis, revised scenarios indicate that the potential shock could range between a 60-80% decline in the international tourism economy in 2020. Beyond immediate measures to support the tourism sector, countries are also shifting to develop recovery measures. These include considerations on lifting travel restrictions, restoring traveller confidence and rethinking the tourism sector for the future.

If you are also thinking about how your business should confront the COVID-19 crisis or if you have already taken the first actions to adapt to the “new normal”, in this article I am going to explain several interesting measures that I have read, heard and seen from other professionals in the hotel & tourism sector who work in many of the top international hotel chains.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in the global economy.
By the end of the first quarter of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had brought international travel to an abrupt halt and significantly impacted the tourism industry. For many developed and developing countries, the tourism sector is a major source of employment, government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. Without this vital lifeline, many countries may experience a dramatic contraction in GDP and a rise in unemployment. Using a computable general equilibrium model (GTAP), we assess the implications of the COVID-19 crisis on the tourism sector. Depending on the duration of the global lockdown, the paper estimates the direct and indirect costs of the shutdown for 65 individual countries and regions and
65 sectors, covering the global economy. In some countries, unemployment could rise by more than 20 percentage points and some sectors could nearly be wiped out if the duration of the tourism standstill is up to one year. Further the paper puts forward policy recommendations for governments to avert the worst effects and facilitate recovery.

The purpose of the Guide is to provide practical and actionable recommendations for effective teleworking that are applicable to a broad range of actors; to support policymakers in updating existing policies; and to provide a flexible framework through which both private enterprises and public sector organisations can develop or update their own teleworking policies and practices. The Guide also includes a number of case examples regarding how employers and policymakers have been handling teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic and addresses the lessons learned from the recent months that are relevant for the future of teleworking arrangements beyond the pandemic; and a list of available tools and resources.

“Covid-19 EU and Global Response” provides a comprehensive overview of lockdown exit strategies and support measures enacted by the EU, EU Member States and other major national economies. Information under the column “Economic Impact and Business Support” outlines the various rental relief, wage subsidy, economic or fiscal relief and sector-specific support measures adopted by the EU Member States.
“EU Member State Tourism Measures” provides a one-page outline of what kind of support measures and requirements have been developed at EU Member State level for the tourism sector.

As COVID-19 infections surged across the continent in October and the first part of November, the vast majority of European countries have re-enacted stricter measures, with many introducing night curfews and requiring bars and restaurants to close or comply with limited opening hours. On a less negative note, infection rates now generally seem to be on the downturn, leaving scope for cautious optimism.

The COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented series of challenges, whether it be in our daily lives, society at large, the global economy or the future of the planet as a whole. To address this, the World Economic Forum has initiated the “Great Reset” initiative to shape a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient world based on stakeholder principles.

As part of this effort, the Japanese constituents of the World Economic Forum held regular dialogues on how best to manage the crisis, direct recovery strategies and shape a positive post- COVID world. In collaboration with Deloitte, this report was created with these goals in mind.

The UNWTO Ethics, Culture and Social Responsibility Department will be issuing a series of thematic inclusive recovery guides reflecting the sociocultural Impacts of COVID-19.

These guides are the result of collaboration with relevant partners. They will help governments and businesses craft an inclusive response to the impacts of the pandemic. Launched on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2020, the first UNWTO Inclusive Recovery Guide – Sociocultural Impacts of COVID-19. Issue I: Persons with Disabilities, outlines steps that the tourism sector should take to build back better, become more accessible and more competitive.

This Guide is accessible (WC.AG.2.0) and will be periodically revised.

The UNWTO Ethics, Culture and Social Responsibility Department is issuing a series of thematic inclusive recovery guides reflecting the sociocultural Impacts of COVID-19. These guides result from collaboration with relevant partners with expertise in accessibility, women in tourism, culture, indigenous peoples’ development and a series of other relevant issues. The guides aim to help governments and businesses craft an inclusive response to the impacts of the pandemic.

UNWTO and UNESCO have collaborated to produce a set of new guidelines focusing on the responsible restart of cultural tourism. UNWTO invited its sister agency, UNESCO to contribute to the UNWTO Inclusive Recovery Guide, Issue 2: Cultural Tourism. The publication draws on the insights and expertise of the two UN agencies to analyse the impact of the pandemic on their respective sectors and suggest solutions. This is the second set of guidelines relating to the socio-cultural impacts of COVID-19 issued by UNWTO and will continue to be revised, as the situation evolves

This set of guidelines has been developed by the UNWTO Ethics, Culture and Social Responsibility Department, in collaboration with UN Women. It is a response to the continuing crisis caused by COVID-19 and an update on the initial recommendations issued by UNWTO in May 2020. UNWTO extends special thanks to UN Women for contributing with their valuable technical input and expertise.

The UNWTO Inclusive Recovery Guides on the sociocultural impacts of COVID-19 are living guidelines, subject to revision as the health situation evolves and more information becomes available on the most effective ways to make tourism inclusive and accessible for all.

The traditional mezze means “welcome” to a sumptuous meal of fresh tastes and textures