UNWTO expects international tourism arrivals to fall around 70% in 2020

UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), via its Jul/Aug-2020 World Tourism Barometer, reported (27-Oct-2020) that based on the latest trends, it expects an overall drop in international arrivals of close to 70% for the whole of 2020. The UNWTO's Panel of Experts foresees a rebound in international tourism in 2021, mostly in 3Q2021. However, around 20% of experts suggest the rebound could occur only in 2022. Travel restrictions are seen as the main barrier standing in the way of the recovery of international tourism, along with slow virus containment and low consumer confidence. The lack of coordinated response among countries to ensure harmonised protocols and coordinated restrictions, as well as the deteriorating economic environment were also identified by experts as important obstacles for recovery. [more - original PR]