Worldwide economic recovery through a revival of local travel and tourism within individual countries
In a bid to revitalize the global tourism industry, which has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has shifted its focus towards the promotion of domestic tourism. This strategic move is outlined in the UNWTO's third Tourism and COVID-19 Briefing Note, titled "Understanding Domestic Tourism and Seizing its Opportunities."
The briefing note underscores the growth of domestic tourism as an opportunity for both developed and developing countries to recover from the social and economic impacts of the pandemic. This recovery, according to UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, will not only help destinations economically but also protect jobs and safeguard livelihoods.
The UNWTO's emphasis on domestic tourism is backed by a multifaceted approach, with countries worldwide leveraging policy, capacity building, cultural promotion, and sustainability to stimulate domestic tourism.
For instance, in Africa, initiatives aim to modernize classification systems for tourist accommodations, enhancing domestic tourism quality and standards. In the Americas, countries like the Dominican Republic and Guatemala are shaping and implementing sustainable tourism frameworks to ensure long-term viability and leadership in global tourism.
In Asia and the Pacific, countries are receiving training for better tourism data collection, supporting evidence-based domestic tourism promotion and planning. Cities like Jinan are provided with international tourism destination plans to guide the development of their tourism sector in line with global standards, indirectly boosting domestic visitor appeal.
The potential of gastronomic tourism, wine tourism, cultural tourism involving festivals, artistic performances, and visits to cultural sites, is also being highlighted as a way to boost local economies and increase domestic travel and spending. Community-led eco-tourism programs, such as Rwanda’s Mountain Gorilla Conservation, are being implemented to support local livelihoods and encourage residents to engage with domestic eco-tourism offerings.
The UNWTO expects domestic tourism to recover faster than international travel, given its significant contribution to the global tourism industry. In 2018, around 9 billion domestic tourism trips were made worldwide, six times the number of international tourist arrivals (1.4 billion in 2018).
To stimulate recovery from the pandemic's economic impacts, the briefing note identifies proactive steps destinations are taking to grow domestic tourism, such as offering bonus holidays for workers and providing vouchers and other incentives to travelers. The briefing note provides insights into the ways destinations around the world are actively promoting domestic tourism.
In conclusion, the UNWTO's focus on domestic tourism presents a promising avenue for the global tourism industry's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. By adopting a sustainable and inclusive approach tailored to local contexts and resources, countries can effectively stimulate domestic tourism and accelerate their economic recovery.
- The UNWTO's third Tourism and COVID-19 Briefing Note emphasizes the growth of domestic tourism as an opportunity for economic recovery from the pandemic.
- The recovery of destinations economically, according to UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, will also protect jobs and safeguard livelihoods.
- Countries worldwide are leveraging policy, capacity building, cultural promotion, and sustainability to stimulate domestic tourism.
- In Africa, modernizing classification systems for tourist accommodations is aiming to enhance domestic tourism quality and standards.
- Sustainable tourism frameworks are being shaped and implemented in countries like the Dominican Republic and Guatemala to ensure long-term viability and leadership in global tourism.
- Cities like Jinan are being provided with international tourism destination plans to guide the development of their tourism sector in line with global standards.
- Community-led eco-tourism programs, such as Rwanda’s Mountain Gorilla Conservation, are being implemented to support local livelihoods and engage residents with domestic eco-tourism offerings.
