‘Tourism could increase 1.5% in post COVID-19 era, cannot afford ‘measures’ for another year’

According to the UK-based World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI) President Bulut Bagci, world tourism could increase 1.5% as compared to the pre-pandemic era in the next year, with even higher hopes for the time to come.

WTFI is a world tourism body that is working with Pakistan to help increase the tourism influx in the country.

We host more Leaders than OTHERS! @gtourismforum @WTourismForum pic.twitter.com/cGKjNkJEzH

— Bulut BAĞCI (@bulutbagci) August 8, 2020

After the 2001 terrorist attack and the SARS epidemic in 2003, tourism decreased drastically but bounced back rapidly in the US and Asia. Bagci said that he’s positive that the world will go back to normal after May 2021, and tourism will return to normal by 2024.

Tourism set to take off in 2021: @bulutbagci

?Tourism in 2021 may expand 1.5% from pre-pandemic 2019
?Sector cannot afford pandemic measures for another year
?If vaccine is found in coming months, people to go safely on vacation@WTourismForum https://t.co/MTQl5vhOgL

— Gökhan Ergöçün (@gergocun) September 6, 2020

Decrease in tourism

He said that the preventive measures that were taken across the globe to stop the spread of COVID-19 had a negative impact on people. As tourism decreased by 98% in 2020, many companies were impacted.

The steps that were taken to contain the spread of the virus badly affected sectors like travel, tourism, manufacturing, and aviation. Bagci said that the sector cannot withstand similar precautionary measures for another year, as many aviation firms are already on the verge of bankruptcy.

If a vaccine is approved in the coming months, people will once again start to go on vacations safely, without any lingering fear.

Bagci also talked about how the virus has changed the way behave. He said that the rules regarding food service and hygiene have changed as now, when people go on a vacation, they check if there’s a hospital nearby.

Tourism was also digitized during the pandemic because customers opted for digital channels for shopping, including holiday packages.

The MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibitions) will also restart in the year 2021, as digital events aren’t a suitable alternate for the MICE sector, since online applications in this field are not permanent.

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