The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has published a report assessing the state of the international tourism industry. The document notes that by the end of the year its volume decreased by 72%. The current year was the worst in the history of world tourism.
The spread of the coronavirus and the introduction of restrictions have led to a sharp drop in the demand for tourist travel. Total tourism losses are estimated at $ 935 billion.
In the crisis year of 2009, the industry lost 10 times less. The decline in international tourism this year was recorded in all regions of the world. However, the Asia-Pacific region became the leader in this indicator. The number of tourist trips to this region fell by 82%.
UNWTO expects the second half of next year to show signs of a recovery in international tourism. This will happen thanks to the mass vaccination of the population of the most affected countries. However, it can take up to four years to return to a pre-crisis situation.
