Every destination worldwide now has coronavirus travel restrictions in place says the UNWTO

Every destination in the world now has travel restrictions in place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, new research has revealed.

The study, of all 217 destinations, was carried out by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), which said this represents the ‘most severe restrictions on international travel in history’.

In addition, the research showed that 83 per cent of destinations have had coronavirus-related restrictions in place for four weeks or more, and so far none have been lifted.

The UNWTO study broke down the type of restrictions that have been put in place across the globe and plotted the evolution of these since January 30, when the World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 a public health emergency of international concern.

The analysis shows that 45 per cent have totally or partially closed their borders to tourists.

Meanwhile, 30 per cent of destinations have totally or partially suspended international flights.

Eighteen per cent of destinations have banned entry for passengers from specific countries of origin or passengers who have transited through specific destinations.

And seven per cent of destinations have applied other measures such as quarantine or self-isolation for 14 days or different visa measures for new arrivals.

Now the UNWTO says it is leading calls for governments worldwide to commit to supporting tourism through this unprecedented challenge.

According to the organisation’s Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, the sudden and unexpected fall in tourism demand caused by coronavirus places millions of jobs and livelihoods at risk while at the same time jeopardising the advances made in sustainable development and equality over recent years.

He explained: ‘Tourism has shown its commitment to putting people first. Our sector can also lead the way in driving recovery.

‘This research on global travel restrictions will help support the timely and responsible implementation of exit strategies, allowing destinations to ease or lift travel restrictions when it is safe to do so.

‘This way, the social and economic benefits that tourism offers can return, providing a path to sustainable recovery for both individuals and whole countries.’

The research from the UNWTO comes as the London-based World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) warns that the tourism sector faces a staggering 100million job losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

WTTC says that the startling figure has increased by over 30 per cent in the past four weeks, indicating the sheer crisis affecting the sector.

It alerted G20 tourism ministers to the extent of the crisis at their latest gathering by virtual video conference. Of the 100.8million jobs at risk, almost 75million of them are in G20 countries.

Figures show the hardest-hit countries would be those in Asia followed by the Americas and then Europe.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, said: ‘This is a staggering and deeply worrying change in such a short time.

‘In just the past month alone, our research shows an increase of 25million in the number of job losses in travel and tourism. The whole cycle of tourism is being wiped out by the pandemic.

‘We have alerted the G20 tourism ministers to the extent of the crisis and advised on how governments need to step in swiftly to support and protect our sector.

‘Travel and tourism is the backbone of the global economy. Without it, global economies will struggle to recover in any meaningful way and hundreds of millions of people will suffer enormous financial and mental damage for years to come.’