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A strong governments’ response to restart tourism

Verantwortlicher Autor: Carlo Marino Rome , 19.06.2020, 21:15 Uhr
Nachricht/Bericht: +++ Reise & Tourismus +++ Bericht 12201x gelesen

Rome [ENA] In 2020, Covid-19 threw Italy into chaos and the Country is expected to register a decrease of roughly 28.5 million tourist arrivals due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on the country's tourist sector. The region of Veneto will record the highest drop with a decrease of roughly 4.61 million arrivals. Similarly, Lombardy is expected to show a decrease of about 3.87 million arrivals in 2020.

Like other Governments around the world Italy is responding quickly and strongly to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on it’s tourism sectors. A new research by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has found that many destinations begin to ease restrictions on travel and the specialized United Nations agency has released on 19th June its first Briefing Note on Tourism and COVID-19, illustrating efforts taken to safeguard jobs and lay the foundations for recovery. From the start of the current crisis, UNWTO has urged both governments and international organizations to make tourism – a leading employer and pillar of economic growth – a priority.

Research carried out for the Briefing Note indicates this has been the case. Of the 220 countries and territories assessed as of 22 May, 167 have reported taking measures aimed at mitigating the effects of the crisis. Of these, 144 have adopted fiscal and monetary policies, while 100 have taken specific steps to support jobs and training, both in tourism and other key economic sectors. “The determination of governments to both support tourism and now restart tourism is testament to the importance of the sector. In many countries, particularly in the developing world, tourism is a major supporter of livelihoods and economic growth, and so it is vital that we restart tourism in a timely and responsible manner“ -UNWTO Secretary-General said.

Place of Spain. Rome

UNWTO found that the most common form of economy-wide stimulus packages endorsed by governments focus on fiscal incentives with exemptions or deferrals of taxes (VAT, corporate income tax, etc.), and providing emergency economic assistance and relief to businesses through monetary measures such as special credit lines at reduced rates, new loan schemes and state banking guarantees aiming at address liquidity shortage. These policies are supplemented with a third pillar to protect the millions of jobs at risk through flexibility mechanisms put in place in many countries, such as exemption or reduction of social security contributions, wage subsidies or special support mechanisms for self employed.

Small businesses, which make up 80% of tourism, have received targeted assistance in many countries. Destinations in Europe have led the way in introducing specific policies to restart tourism. According to this latest UNWTO research, 33% of destinations in the region have introduced tourism-specific policies. In Asia and the Pacific, 25% of destinations have adopted restarting tourism policies, while in the Americas this proportion stands at 14% and in Africa at 4%. Restoring trust and confidence in the sector is crucial to restart tourism . The most common measures adopted in countries where tourism is back on the path to reignition are health and sanitary protocols, certifications and labels for clean and safe practices and safety

Rome, Testaccio Square

corridors” between countries .With domestic tourism as a priority at the moment, promotional campaigns, product development initiatives and vouchers begin to emerge in a few countries. The European Commission, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have all supported governments, particularly with special mechanisms for loans, as well as with technical assistance and recommendations for recovery.

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