“Tourism will boom again,” said ceo of Messe Berlin, Martin Ecknig, at the opening virtual press conference for ITB Berlin on Tues (March 9). Messe Berlin is the organiser of the annual global travel trade show in Berlin every March.
Data released by the UNWTO shows that one in 3 destinations worldwide are now completely closed to international tourism.The org says this is due to the emergence of new variants of the COVID-19 virus, which has prompted govts to reverse the trend towards the easing of travel restrictions. The report says total closures to tourists are most prevalent in Asia Pacific & Europe.
UNWTO research shows a trend towards a more nuanced, evidence & risk-based approach, with growing no. of destinations now require international tourists to carry a negative PCR or Antigen test certificate on arrival; 32% of destinations now have this requirement. IATA is calling on govts to ensure the combination of pre-testing & vaccination allow for the restart of travel & safe opening of borders.
The desire for travel remains unabated & global travel will soon resume, recover and reinvent itself amid new trends and consumers’ demands driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESET
RECOVER
REBUILD
RECONNECT
Jonathan Gerber Gavin Stevens Kim Parker Gillian Hurford Joelene Roberts