Covid-19: Tourism leaders see the restart of the sector underway

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) on Friday welcomed the ongoing lifting and easing of travel restrictions imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“After almost two years without international travel, the loss of businesses and millions of jobs, we can finally see light at the end of the tunnel,” WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said during the conference of tourism ministers of the European Union speaking in Dijon, France.

Simpson emphasizes that if restrictions continue to be lifted, the tourism sector could employ almost 24 million people in the EU and some contribute 1.3 Billion Euros for the economy of the region this year

“Europe’s recovery is at a critical time. We must keep the economy open and restore unlimited travel,” she added.

As of March 15, seven countries around the world have completely lifted their Covid-19 related restrictions, in full compliance with the recommendations of the UNWTO and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Speaking during the Conference of Tourism Ministers, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili called on EU governments tourism the support it needs to make a difference, and also to praise the recovery plans of many EU Member States.

“Targeted tourism assistance will benefit all levels of the sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises and individual workers, who represent up to 80% of the tourism sector,” he said.

Sustainability

Pololikashvili also made it clear that now is the time for tourism to build up its climate action commitments, again citing cooperation as the essential basis for building a more sustainable and resilient sector.

On her part, WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson also highlighted the importance of a sustainable recovery and addressed the role that EU ministers can play. Carbon emissions reduce by 25 million tonnes of carbon a year.

“Aviation is making great strides in sustainability, but it urgently needs support,” she said.

According to the WTTC president, for 20 years airlines have promised a single European Sky that will fly planes on the shortest routes.

“Today, planes are flying over Europe to burn extra fuel. The time to speak is over. If the EU is to achieve its sustainability goals, it must act,” Simpson added.

Organized by France as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Conference of Tourism Ministers of the European Union in Dijon has personally visited the Tourism Ministers of the 27 EU Member States for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

During the conference, the Ministers responsible for Tourism in the EU Member States discussed a number of issues, including ways to achieve recovery in the Covid-19 pandemic sector, the impact that the sector could suffer through the war and the Ukraine and the increase in costs. of energy.

Follow GTP headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece.