International Tourism Demand Further Deteriorates
World tourism in face of the global economic crisis and influenza threat
International tourism demand has deteriorated further due to the impact of the global economic recession. International tourist arrivals declined at a rate of 8 percent between January and February this year, leaving the overall volume at the same level as recorded in 2007. At the same time, influenza A (H1N1) is starting to affect the sector. It's impact is being closely monitored by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in close collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). UNWTO follows the WHO's advice as it is the leading UN agency in matters relating to health. WHO does not recommend travel restrictions at this point.
Preliminary UNWTO figures for the first months of 2009 indicate a continuation of the negative growth already experienced in the second half of 2008. Destinations all around the world have suffered from a decrease in demand in major source markets. With the exception of Africa and both Central and South America, who all posted positive results in the range of 3-5 percent. So far, northern, southern and Mediterranean Europe, north-east Asia, south Asia, and the Middle East are amongst the most affected sub-regions.
In this context, UNWTO expects international tourism to decline between 2 percent and 3 percent in 2009.
Many countries are already developing stimulus measures within their fiscal and monetary packages to mitigate the effects of the crisis on tourism, realizing that the sector can be a key driver of economic recovery. Some destinations are reducing taxes and improving travel facilitation, recognizing that it is now crucial to remove all obstacles to tourism, especially taxation and over regulation. Others have developed financial systems to support tourism enterprises, maintain/increase employment in the sector, and develop infrastructure. UNWTO encourages others to follow suit.
Secretary-general ad interim Taleb Rifai stressed that, "One of the major challenges amidst the current crisis is the imperative of not losing sight of the longer-term challenges of poverty alleviation, employment, and climate change."
UNWTO Response
Historically, tourism has demonstrated remarkable resilience and has emerged from past crises stronger and healthier. The current economic juncture, however, might be different. This crisis is truly global, and its parameters are still in many ways unclear.
Against this background, UNWTO has increased its efforts to provide its members with the necessary support on a consistent basis in order to endure these challenging times:
- Resilience: the Tourism Resilience Committee (TRC) provides a framework for better market analysis, collaboration on responses, and medium-term policymaking.
- Stimulus: UNWTO urges governments to put tourism at the core of their stimulus packages - jobs and trade are engendered through a strong tourism sector, as well as business and consumer confidence in travel, which can play a big part in economic recovery.
- Green Economy: tourism must be placed at the forefront of the transformation towards the green economy; contributing with carbon-clean operations, jobs in environmental management, and energy-efficient constructions.
UNWTO's "Roadmap for Recovery" will lead to a unique positioning of the sector with respect to the economic crisis, its role in the stimulus program, and in the recovery, future sustainability, and competitiveness of tourism.
Influenza Preparedness
Adding to the consumer and business uncertainty and the loss of confidence, the potential Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic has created an increasing degree of confusion around the issue of whether it is safe to travel. UNWTO has been very active in pressing for a clear WHO position and is working closely with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure a balanced decision-making process.
Within the UN system, UNWTO has a direct line to express the interests of tourism and travel. At this stage, the extent of the spread, sustainability, and the complete health implications of the virus remain uncertain. Given the increased public awareness, engagement, and the resulting elevated concern, calls for the urgent need for response must be viewed in context - awareness is key, not abrupt and uninformed reactions.
Until now, WHO has seen no reason to close borders or restrict travel. This stance is supported by similar past experiences, which provides no evidence that doing so would stop the spread of the virus. Furthermore, the economic cost would be enormous. WHO goes further and urges states to resist unilateral action and to consult with them before undertaking any such initiative.
UNWTO strongly supports this position and is prepared to face this kind of situation. The organization has formed a dedicated Risk and Crisis Management Section (RCM), established influenza contacts in every member state, launched regional simulation exercises, created the Tourism Emergency Response Network (TERN) with some 20 peak industry organizations, and launched sos.travel as a portal for emergency information for the industry and travelers. In addition, UNWTO is continuing to issue guidance material.
Comments
"The Legacy of the MEDIA creating Irrational Risk Perception.
Last week I was driving to my office, which houses a 30 employee Air Consolidator & Tour Operation.
I felt sick in my stomach for those working in the Mexican Tourism Industry. The Media has once again created Hysteria and an Irrational Risk Perception in their hype over Swine Flu. I guess there will never be an end to this.
In 1986 I was able to take a FAM TRIP in July to Scandanavia ! Travel Agents don't get to go on FAMS there in Peak Season, unless the media had convinced the world public that "All the Birds in Scandanavia were Dead due to a Chernobyl Radioactive Cloud". I also got to go to Paris on a FAM earlier in April of that same year due to the fact that the media had convinced at least every American that there was a Libyan Terrorist hiding behind every corner just waiting to kill any American.
And alas it goes on and on. Media distorts and if they are called on the carpet they print a retraction on the bottom of the second page, but the damage has already been done.
Bird Flu, what 8500 died worldwide and none in the USA. Swine Flu in the hundreds? Yet over 36,000 die from the flu in the USA alone each year but that is not News Worthy. Now the damage has been done to Mexico's tourism, and it makes me ill. Resorts closing for weeks!
And the MEDIA and Hell-avision, I mean Tel-avison continues to feed America a daily diet of FEAR. Yes, we will always have evil people with us. Yes, we will always have people who do not have skillsets to earn consistent income that WANT the bigger house and car, to live like Dr. Jones, and we have had a system of credit that has catered to people who do not live within their means.
But enough is enough. The media causes those with Jobs to say, We still have a job, but I might lose it so I better not go to that restuarant this weekend, better not buy a new refrigerator, better not buy a new car, better conserve and horde. I should postpone that trip til 2010 or a later time, and we are all caught up in that web. And the Media keeps feeding a diet of fear. Last summer I bought a BOUND issue of all the January 1928 New York Times. One of those that you see in a library for $2 at a yard sale. In the top left corner of each daily copy it says,
"All the News that's Fit to Print". Pick up todays copy and it is the same.
I say, not only to the TIMES but most media sources.., All the News that's UN-FIT to print, because if it wasn't unfit you most likely would not print it, and when you do print it you have little or no regard to creating Hysteria, or an Irrational Risk Perception (causing readers to perceive that the risk is greater than it really is) .
I have a greater risk of dying from an alergic reaction to a Bee Sting, or slipping in my shower and dying from the fall than every meeting a terrorist in Paris or otherwise, or even hearing an engine skip a beat on an airliner, but alas reporting on those ODDS will never make the front page.
Saddened by the personal ethics of the Media. !
Wayne L.
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