Tourism and Rural Development 2020
In the economy of almost every country, tourism sector plays significant role , employing a large number of people worldwide. In current times, we cannot even imagine real growth and development of any region in the absence of tourism. However this year, the entire world is fighting with the calamity of deadly coronavirus outbreak. And tourism industry remains frontliner among the sectors worst hit by the pandemic’s socio-economical impacts.
Besides, the year 2020 has been a major disappointment for travelers, who cannot see their lives inside the doors. They even don’t know how much time they still have to spend without seeing a new place in another country. Also, tourist places around the world are waiting for tourists as their businesses and jobs depend totally on tourist activities. Though many countries have reopened their locks for tourists, it is mandatory to follow rules of mask and social distancing.
Rural sector suffers more
Moreover, people in many small towns and villages are suffering for bread and butter in the absence of tourists. In order to promote tourism activities once again in small regions, the world celebrated World Tourism Day 2020 on September 27 as “Tourism and Rural Development”. Making significant impact on tourism, Covid-19 made the world face huge economic losses, and millions of jobs are at risk, said United Nations on the occasion. The international body also informed that it is working to promote more sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism amid pandemic.
On the occasion of World Tourism Day this year, Covid-19 can be taken as an opportunity to rethink the future of the tourism sector, said the UN. Tourism has a huge contribution towards sustainable development goals through its social, cultural, political, and economic value. Further, in pandemic times, tourism can make a space to help people come together, promoting solidarity and trust. These are crucial ingredients of the global cooperation, which is need of the moment, the UN further said.
Tourism and Rural Development 2020
Tourism has a big impact in conservation of cultural and natural heritage of countries. This year’s theme – Tourism and Rural Development – focuses on the contribution of tourism in job creation in smaller areas. As per estimations, 68% of the world population will live in urban areas by 2050. Currently, 80% of this population is living in rural areas in ‘extreme poverty’. Amid job cuts in Covid times, tourism can play crucial part in economic recovery by creating new employment opportunities for rural sector.
United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has been observing the World Tourism Day for four decades each year. This year was the first time in the 40-year history that no single member state of the UN hosted the official celebration. Instead, countries from the Mercosur bloc served the event as joint hosts. While Mercosur bloc members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, the associate state Chile joined with observer status. The co-hosting indicates solidarity and collaboration among global community – essentials that tourism promotes.
Role of tourism in world economy
Calling tourism a lifeline, UNWTO said, the sector offers young people an opportunity to earn a living without having to migrate from their place. This year’s theme – Tourism and Rural Development – celebrates tourism as the ultimate cross-cutting sector that contributes to all of the sustainable development goals, it said. Furthermore, in presence of coordination and solidarity among nations, tourism can speed up the achievement of #Agenda2030, it added.
Find here a few facts and figures, explaining how tourism plays a big role in the world economy. And also, why it is called a lifeline:
- Tourism gives job to one in every ten people around the world.
- Covid-19 has resulted in 100-120 million direct tourism jobs at risk.
- Youth of rural areas has three times more chances to be unemployed.
- Coronavirus lockdown worldwide led to a 98 percent year-on-year decline in international tourist footfalls in May.
- Tourism sector saw 56% year-on-year fall in tourist activities between January and May.
- 300 million drop occurred in tourist arrivals and US$320 billion loss in international tourism receipts. This is more than three times the loss occurred during 2009 Global Economic Crisis.
