Travel industry demonstrates remarkable resilience, exhibits enhanced durability as per recent findings by WTTC and Global Rescue research.
In a recent report, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Global Rescue have analysed the impact of 90 crises in the Travel & Tourism sector between 2001 and 2018. The findings reveal a sector that has become more resilient, with average recovery times decreasing from 26 months in 2001 to 10 months in 2018.
The report emphasises the continuing vulnerability of the sector to crisis impacts, with recovery remaining uneven globally. For instance, the United States is projected to suffer a loss of up to $29 billion in international visitor spending in 2025, making it the only country among 184 analysed that will see a decline in foreign tourism revenue this year. This downturn is mainly due to “sentiment headwinds,” a combination of political and policy factors discouraging tourists from key markets such as Canada and Western Europe.
While global travel rebounded strongly in 2025, the U.S. lagged behind, reversing initial forecasts of a 9% increase in inbound travel to an 8.2% decline, resulting in a large economic gap. This suggests that even large established markets remain vulnerable to external crises impacting traveler confidence and willingness to travel.
From a preparedness and rescue perspective, Global Rescue emphasises the critical importance of localised, highly trained medical and rescue teams capable of responding in high-risk environments. They deploy paramedics and nurses skilled in trauma and altitude illness care, responding rapidly with coordinated logistical support involving aviation and hospitals. However, operational capacity can be constrained by regulatory changes, such as stricter helicopter pilot flight-hour restrictions in Nepal, underscoring the need for climbers and travelers to prepare for potential self-rescue scenarios.
The report implicitly recommends that travel operators, government bodies, and travelers themselves invest in robust risk management and crisis preparedness measures, including improved communication, medical evacuation readiness, and traveler education to mitigate the consequences of sudden crises or operational constraints.
The research indicates a trend of shorter crisis recovery times over the past 18 years. Political instability has the longest average recovery time of 22.2 months, while terrorist or security related incidents have the shortest average recovery time of 11.5 months. The average recovery times for natural disasters are 16.2 months, and for disease outbreaks, they are 19.4 months.
The report also highlights the importance of being prepared and the need for coordinated management to ensure a successful recovery. Public private partnerships and effective, transparent communications are crucial for preparedness and prevention. The WTTC and Global Rescue offer recommendations on how destinations can mitigate the impact of a crisis, with successful examples from Kenya, Mexico, Egypt, Hawaii, and Japan.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, stated that recovery times have fallen significantly over the past two decades and that major strides have been made. Later today, she will host a panel discussion at the World Travel Market, joined by several other industry leaders, to reveal the research findings of the report entitled "Crisis Readiness: Are You Prepared and Risk Resilient to Safeguard Your People and Destinations?"
References:
- Global Rescue
- WTTC
- November 4, 2019, London
The report by WTTC and Global Rescue suggests that travel operators, governments, and travelers should invest in robust risk management and crisis preparedness measures, such as improved communication, medical evacuation readiness, and traveler education.
Moreover, the research highlights the importance of preparedness and coordinated management in ensuring a successful recovery, especially in the face of sudden crises or operational constraints. For instance, nations like Kenya, Mexico, Egypt, Hawaii, and Japan have shown success in mitigating crisis impacts through effective public-private partnerships and transparent communication.
