Over dependence on tourism can prove detrimental

Saturday, September 3, 2022

Tourism is one of the biggest employers and speediest growing industries globally, comprising 10 percent of global GDP in 2019. However, with borders closing during lockdowns, it was apparent that over-reliance could prove to be costly, with millions depending on it.

However, with resumption of international travel, many destinations are cautious about going back to business-as-usual. After a hiatus of two years, the economic booster from reopening borders has come as a big sigh of relief.

Most of the top 10 tourist destinations have somewhat improved from the effects of the pandemic. Still, not all have improved at the same speed. Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy said that unsuccessful organization and an absence of public understanding in upkeep work have hindered the country’s road to recovery.

Uno said that their hope for the future is excellence in work and ecological tourism visits.

Indonesia will be hosting the UNWTO World Tourism Day forum this September, with the theme, “Rethinking tourism.”

Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of the UNWTO said that reconsidering one of the world’s major financial sectors would not come as easy. However, the sector is already on its path toward recovery.

International arrivals dropped by 71 per cent during the first two years of the pandemic, said the UNWTO.

This year, the numbers have improved slightly, but are still low by 54 per cent globally compared to the 2019 figures.

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