The massive impact of the novel coronavirus disease has affected all sectors of the economy, nationally and globally. However, the World Travel Organization predicts that tourism will rebound soon as the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

&ldquoTourism may have been brought to a near-standstill by COVID-19, but the industry&mdashwhich accounts for ten per cent of global GDP (gross domestic product)&mdashfinds itself in a unique position to help put the global economy back on its feet, once the pandemic has passed,&rdquo stated the United Nations World Travel Organization, which is closely monitoring the coronavirus crisis while collaborating with other UN agencies on ways to mitigate its impact.

Ahead of Global Tourism Crisis Committee&rsquos meeting last Thursday, the UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the travel and tourism industry like no other event before. The committee, which brings participants together from all over the world via video teleconference, is working on tackling key questions like how borders will re-open, what mobility will look like and what tourists will seek after many weeks of self-isolation.

&ldquoWith tourism suspended, the benefits that the sector brings are under threat. Millions of jobs could be lost and progress made in the fields of equality and sustainable economic growth could be rolled back,&rdquo Pololikashvili added.

But the Secretary-General also emphasised that the tourism industry, which employs one in ten workers worldwide, has a proven track record for resilience, given the examples of the 2008-09 financial crisis and the 2003 SARS breakout, and is well-placed to lead future recovery.

&ldquoOur sector will provide the jobs people need to bounce back and will drive economic growth that will help whole communities and countries to recover,&rdquo he said.

The UNWTO also said that political and financial commitments are key to ensure that tourism can lead wider economic and social recovery and is thus calling for financial and political support for the tourism industry, and for the sector to be included in wider recovery plans and actions.

&ldquoFor now, we must be patient and stand ready,&rdquo the UNWTO chief said. &ldquoBy staying home today, we can travel tomorrow. And travelling tomorrow will support jobs, celebrate culture and promote international friendship and understanding.&rdquo

Compared to last year, the UNWTO estimates that the year 2020 could witness a decline of 20-30 per cent in global international tourist arrivals, and estimates a loss of US$30-$50 billion in spending by international visitors.

To put that in context, in 2009, on the back of the global financial crisis, international tourist arrivals fell by 4 per cent, while the SARS pandemic in 2003 led to a decline of just 0.4 per cent.