Tourism in countdown

Although in recent weeks there has been great progress in terms of different initiatives to reduce travel restrictions and re-enhance global connectivity, days go by and states do not agree to unify criteria. It is an extremely tense moment as the industry reaches this point with very complicated numbers and that has led to closures, mergers and negotiations that can shake the board.

The requests are already desperate, both from the associations and the private sector. So much so that today the World Travel and Tourism Council urged governments around the world to abandon the concept of "high-risk countries", and establish rapid test schemes to identify "high-risk travelers" .
The aim is to seek a new approach to avoid labeling entire countries under the concept of “high risk”, and to establish mechanisms that facilitate the individual identification of travelers with a greater probability of exporting the virus from one country to another.

In addition, it recommended that countries carry out an international consensus on the metrics used to assess risk, as well as a profitable departure and arrival testing scheme.

This would ensure that only travelers testing positive for COVID-19 are isolated, while travelers testing negative can continue to travel safely by observing hygiene protocols, wearing face masks, and social distancing.

Gloria Guevara Manzo, President and CEO of the WTTC, mentioned: “Risk based on entire countries is neither effective nor productive. Instead, redefining risk for individual travelers will be key to jumpstarting international travel safely. We must learn from past experiences and crises like 9-11. "
“We cannot continue to label entire countries as 'high risk', which means that all citizens in any of those countries are infected. Although the UK is currently experiencing high levels of contagion, it is clear that not all Britons are infected; The same is true of all Americans, Spanish or French, ”said Guevara Manzo.
The WTTC assures that the reality is much more complex. These concepts not only stigmatize an entire nation, but also stop travel and mobility.

Guevara Manzó emphasized that one must learn to live with the virus and that this reality must be recognized and the concept redefined to focus on "high risk" people. 

“We strongly believe that implementing a comprehensive testing regime and the use of technology is the only practical way to safely restore international travel and prevent the export of the virus. In addition, a comprehensive testing program will be less onerous than the economic cost of general quarantines and border closures, "he said.

Finally, the President and CEO of the WTTC reiterated that a crucial balance must be struck between the priority of public health and the need to maintain economic activity. In addition to ensuring that people are safe and healthy, the health of the world economy must also be ensured and the 174 million jobs globally in travel and tourism affected by the current health crisis must be reactivated.

Alexandre de Juniac, IATA Director General and CEO: "Our forecast is for traffic to return to half of 2019 levels in 2021. But the proliferation of travel restrictions that we have seen since the beginning of the year could cause even that modest prospect is very challenging."

"In the face of these new restrictions, our call for a partnership with governments is even more essential. There will be a turning point in this crisis. And it is important to be prepared for it."

"I don't think anyone envisions a world free of COVID-19 anytime soon. Certainly not in the next few months or even within this year. But our ability to manage risk is increasing as more people get vaccinated and it expands. the ability to test ".

"Over time, we will be at a point where these and other measures will give governments the assurance that the risk of restarting our lives, including travel, is tolerable, while also recognizing the significant social and economic benefits at stake. We are looking forward to working with governments as partners to understand what the benchmarks and conditions will be for a decision that restores people's freedom of movement. "

"A functioning aviation industry will add a vital boost to economic recovery. In fact, without aviation, recovery will probably not be possible. We have all seen too many stories about the terrible job losses and human suffering in the world. travel and tourism industry. So-called homestay holidays and local tourism are not the answer. Only aviation can drive a recovery. "

Some governments have already responded positively to an industry association.

In the UK, for example, IATA is working with the local airline association to provide a recommended framework. And this was at the invitation of the government, a very positive sign that the partnership approach will generate significant value.

In the US, IATA represents international airlines in the Biden Administration's near-daily interagency consultations on COVID measures.

And in Latin America, last week an agreement was announced with the Government of Panama and Copa Airlines to launch a test of the IATA Travel Pass. This is the first airline in the Americas to take the initiative and the first government in the world to publicly support it. 




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