International arrivals fell by 72% over the first ten months of 2020, with restrictions on travel, low consumer confidence and a global struggle to contain the COVID-19 virus, all contributing to the worst year on record in the history of tourism.
The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has concluded his official visit to the Americas with a series of high-level meetings in Uruguay.
For the first time in the history of World Tourism Day, the 2020 official celebration will be hosted by a group of countries and not a single UNWTO Member State. The cross-border cooperation of Mercosur Member States (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay plus Chile, Member Associate) reflects the current need for international solidarity and cooperation. This is especially true for tourism, working together towards a common goal.
The Falkland Islands Executive Council considered this week a paper relating to the current Quarantine and Visitor Policy and its implications for tourism, given the global situation of the industry, and international connectivity. Lawmaker Mark Pollard admitted that under current circumstances the next tourist season in the Falklands will not be able to rely on international visitors.
World tourism almost stopped in April due to the COVID-19 crisis, with a 97% drop in the number of international arrivals, 180 million less than in the same month of 2019, after a decrease of 55% in March, according to data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
As UNWTO leads the restart of tourism, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has sent a landmark message to the world, highlighting the sector’s unique role in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in protecting the most vulnerable members of our societies.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced this week the beaches, ports and sustainable boat tour operators in Europe for 2019. Spain boasts 669 Blue Flag awards including 566 Spanish beaches, 98 marina resorts and 5 sustainable tourist boat operators.
The importance of digital technologies in tourism, providing opportunities for innovation and preparing the sector for the future of work, is at the centre of World Tourims Day 2018, to be celebrated in Budapest, Hungary this Thursday 27 September.
Following the success of the previous editions, the Government of Thailand and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Center, are organizing the 4th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, to take place from 30 May to 1 June 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand.
International tourist arrivals grew by a remarkable 7% in 2017 to reach a total of 1,322 million, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This strong momentum is expected to continue in 2018 at a rate of 4%-5%.