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The World Travel & Tourism Council has called for the UK government to further lift restrictions on international travel in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While acknowledging changes coming into effect this week in England are a significant step forward, the body said more needs to be done.
Virginia Messina, WTTC senior vice president, said: “We should reflect on how hard won our newly re-found ‘freedoms’ are, which have been curbed for the best part of 18 months as together we have fought against the pandemic – at huge social, economic and personal cost.
“We know it will come as a sigh of relief that our lives are beginning to return to normal, albeit with mask-wearing where appropriate, to continue prioritising public safety.
“However, while the domestic holiday market is reaping the benefits of ‘Freedom Day’, with staycations booming, we are not out of the woods yet.”ADVERTISEMENTFollowing the loosening of restrictions companies, including Jet2, have begun to offer trips to amber list countries.
However, more needs to be done, Messina argued.
She added: “International travel remains either off limits or frustratingly difficult for many.
“This means the door to significant overseas travel still remains effectively closed, especially following the new ‘amber list-plus status’ for France which caused such chaos last week.
“We need international travel; economically, socially and emotionally.
“Our pent-up desire to travel remains undimmed, and we must take advantage of the hugely successful vaccine rollout to safely resume it.
“We hope the UK government will extend these revived domestic ‘freedoms’ to include the freedom to travel safely internationally, so we can reconnect with the world and harness all the benefits that it brings to us as individuals, and collectively to the tourism sector and the country.”

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Asia Pacific was the region hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic according to the new annual Economic Trends Report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The report reveals the full dramatic impact of travel restrictions designed to curb Covid-19 on the global economy, individual regions and its job losses worldwide.
Asia-Pacific was the worst performing region, with the sector’s contribution to GDP dropping a damaging 54 per cent, compared to the global fall of 49 per cent.
International visitor spending was particularly hard hit across Asia Pacific, falling by 74 per cent, as many countries across the region closed their borders to inbound tourists.
Domestic spending witnessed a lower but equally punishing decline of 48 per cent. ADVERTISEMENTTourism employment in the region fell by 18 per cent, equating to a shocking 34 million jobs.
Virginia Messina, WTTC senior vice president, said: “WTTC data has laid bare the devastating impact the pandemic has had on tourism around the world, leaving economies battered, millions without jobs and many more fearing for their future.
“Our annual Economic Trends Report shows just how much each region has suffered at the hands of the crushing travel restrictions brought in to control the spread of Covid-19.
“WTTC believes governments around the world should take advantage of their vaccine rollouts, which could significantly ease travel restrictions on travel, and help power the wider global economic recovery.”
The report also revealed the European tourism sector suffered the second biggest economic collapse last year, dropping 51 per cent, or €987 billion.
This significant and damaging decline was in part due to continuing mobility restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.
The report showed domestic spending in Europe declined by 48 per cent, offset by some intra-regional travel, however international spending fell at an even sharper rate, by 64 per cent.
Despite this, Europe remained the top global region for international visitor spending.
More Information
To read the WTTC Economic Trends Report in full, please click here.

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The global vaccination rollout and increased adoption of digital solutions for safe travel should lead to a rise in international mobility over the weeks and months ahead.
That is according to the latest data from the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
According to the newest edition of the Travel Restrictions Report from agency, as of June, 29 per cent of all destinations worldwide have their borders completely closed to international tourism.
Of these, more than half have been completely closed to tourists for since May 2020 or longer, with the majority of these belonging to the small island development states of Asia and the Pacific.
In comparison, just three destinations (Albania, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic) are completely open to tourists, with no restrictions now in place.ADVERTISEMENTOne in three of all destinations are partially closed, and 36 per cent request a negative Covid-19 test result upon arrival, in some cases in combination with a requirement to quarantine.
The data confirms the trend towards destinations adopting more nuanced, evidence-and-risk-based approaches to restrictions on travel, particularly in light of the evolving epidemiological situation and the emergence of new variants of the virus.
Indeed, 42 per cent of all destinations have introduced specific restrictions for visitors from destinations with variants of concern ranging from the suspension of flights and closing of borders to compulsory quarantine.
Additionally, since most of those destinations with the strictest measures have some of the lowest rates of vaccination, the data also indicates a link between vaccination speed and easing of restrictions.
In comparison, those destinations that have higher rates of vaccination and where countries are able to work together on harmonised rules and protocols such as those being employed in the Schengen area of the European Union, are better-placed to allow tourism to slowly return.
“Governments are instrumental for the restart and recovery of tourism through collaboration, use of data and digital solutions,” said UNWTO secretary general Zurab Pololikashvili.
Regional differences with regards to travel restrictions remain.
Some 70 per cent of all destinations in Asia and the Pacific are completely closed, compared with just 13 per cent in Europe, as well as 20 per cent in the Americas, 19 per cent in Africa and 31 per cent in the Middle East.
The report indicates that the restart of global tourism will remain muted so long as governments continue to advise caution.
Four of the ten top source markets keep advising their citizens against non-essential travel abroad (these four generated 25 per cent of all international arrivals in 2018).

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African members of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) have agreed to work together to establish a new narrative for tourism across the continent.
To better realise the potential of tourism to drive recovery, UNWTO and its members will also work with the African Union and the private sector to promote the continent to new global audiences.
With tourism recognised as an essential pillar of sustainable and inclusive development for the continent, UNWTO welcomed high-level delegates to the first Regional Conference on Strengthening Brand Africa.
The conference featured the participation of the political leadership of host country Namibia, alongside public and private sector leaders from across the continent.
UNWTO secretary general, Zurab Pololikashvili, welcomed the common determination to rethink as well as restart tourism. ADVERTISEMENT“African destinations must take the lead in celebrating and promoting the continent’s vibrant culture, youthful energy and entrepreneur spirit, and its rich gastronomy,” he said. 
On the back of a series of workshops, members states from Africa unanimously endorsed the Windhoek Pledge on Advocating Brand Africa.
Under the terms of the pledge, members will engage both public and private sector stakeholders as well as local communities to build a new, inspiring narrative for tourism across the continent.
They will identify positive, human-centred stories, and through strengthened partnerships with the media, showcase them to the world, reaching new and diverse tourism source markets.
Over the coming weeks, UNWTO will work with all signatories to create a common roadmap towards establishing Brand Africa.
This will include establishing common values and goals and identifying funding needs and opportunities as well as providing branding toolkits for destinations, including guidelines and recommendations and training and capacity building in market intelligence, digital marketing and data management.

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International tourist arrivals were down 83 per cent in the first quarter of 2021 as widespread travel restrictions remained in place.
However, the UNWTO Confidence Index shows signs of a slow uptick in optimism.
Between January and March destinations around the world welcomed 180 million fewer international arrivals compared to the first quarter of last year.
Asia and the Pacific continued to suffer the lowest levels of activity with a 94 per cent drop in international arrivals over the three-month period.
Europe recorded the second largest decline, down 83 per cent, followed by Africa (down 81 per cent), the Middle East (down 78 per cent) and the Americas (down 71 per cent).ADVERTISEMENTThis all follows on from the 73 per cent fall in worldwide international tourist arrivals recorded in 2020, making it the worst year on record for the sector.
UNWTO secretary general, Zurab Pololikashvili, commented: “There is significant pent-up demand, and we see confidence slowly returning.
“Vaccinations will be key for recovery, but we must improve coordination and communication while making testing easier and more affordable if we want to see a rebound for the summer season in the northern hemisphere.”
The latest survey of the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts shows prospects for the May-August period improving slightly.
Alongside this, the pace of the vaccination rollout in some key source markets as well as policies to restart tourism safely, most notably the EU Digital Green Certificate, have boosted hopes for a rebound in some of these markets.
Overall, 60 per cent expect a rebound in international tourism only in 2022, up from 50 per cent in the January survey.
The remaining 40 per cent see a potential rebound in 2021, though this is down slightly from the percentage in January.

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The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has opened its first regional office for the Middle East.
At a ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, UNWTO secretary general, Zurab Pololikashvili, was joined by Saudi minister of tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb, to officially open the office.
They were also joined by tourism ministers from across both Middle East and from every other global region, as well as by leaders from the private sector.
The first UNWTO regional office will be a centre of conversation, debate and decision-making and bring hope to many people across the region allowing them to enjoy the social and economic benefits only tourism can deliver.
The new office will serve as a hub for UNWTO to coordinate policy and initiatives across its 13 member states in the region.
Pololikashvili said: “The first UNWTO regional office will be a centre of conversation, debate and decision-making and bring hope to many people across the region allowing them to enjoy the social and economic benefits only tourism can deliver. ADVERTISEMENT“Work on the office began after the start of the pandemic, proof of our determination and the strong support of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The UNWTO also contributed expert insights to the tourism recovery summit, organised by the Saudi ministry of tourism and held against the backdrop of the regional office opening.
Al Khateeb added: “We are thrilled to host the new Regional Office in Saudi Arabia.
“This demonstrates our commitment to working with our partners at the UNWTO to develop a strong industry based on the principles of sustainability and opportunities for all, across the region and globally.”

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New data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows the UK fell out of the top five biggest tourism markets in 2020.
Figures suggest the hospitality sector suffering a punishing GDP fall of 63 per cent last year.
The fall from fifth place in 2019 to eighth position in 2020 saw it sustain one of the biggest collapses of the ten largest tourism markets, due to continuing travel restrictions, and what the WTTC called “unnecessary and crushing quarantines”.
Meanwhile, the US maintained its position as the largest global tourism market, despite suffering a 41 per cent fall in GDP last year.
China also kept its position as second biggest tourism market, but experienced a harder GDP fall of 60 per cent, with Japan slightly improving its ranking – from fourth to third – shouldering a GDP fall nearly half that of China, of just 37 per cent.ADVERTISEMENTGloria Guevara, WTTC chief executive, said: “With positive news from across Europe about the gradual reopening of borders we hope to see many more countries adopt a more risk-based approach.
“This will restore mobility safely through rapid testing and health and hygiene protocols to support the vaccination rollout.”
She added: “However, the UK was one of the most heavily impacted of the major tourism markets, falling out of the top five to eighth position due to the damaging and ineffective quarantines and unhelpful continuing travel restrictions.
“Despite the restrictions designed to curb the spread of the pandemic, the US and China maintained their respective positions as first and second biggest tourism markets.”

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UKinbound has presented the government with three key critical asks ahead of the prime minister’s expected announcement on the re-opening of international travel, due in April.
The asks were included as a key component of the association’s global travel taskforce submission.

Create a risk-based reopening framework – including both short-haul and long-haul travel and the removal of quarantine via the introduction of digitalised entry documentation.
A bilateral travel agreement with the US – our most valuable inbound travel market, where there is significant pent-up demand to holiday in the UK by vaccinated Americans.
A four nations approach to lifting restrictions – international visitors expect and want to visit multiple countries in the UK and different restrictions could mean a trip to the UK is not taken.

UKinbound’s response citied that the industry cannot afford a stop-start recovery, as this would shatter international confidence in travelling to the UK, and that domestic tourism will not make up the revenue gap left by international visitors.
International tourists spend on average £685 a day in the UK, domestic tourists spend just a third of this, according to the Office for National Statistics. ADVERTISEMENTThe need to remove quarantine for all but those arriving from high-risk source markets was highlighted, along with a fundamental need to ensure that UK borders are resourced adequately to ensure smooth processing of passengers, which means the digitalisation of entry documents such as Covid-19 certificate, testing and passenger locator forms.
Joss Croft, chief executive of UKinbound, commented: “We have one chance to get the reopening of international travel right and the Prime Minister’s announcement on April 12th will be make or break for the inbound tourism industry.
“How the taskforce communicates its findings and suggestions will fundamentally shape how successful the restart of international travel is.
“We 100 per cent support a risk-based approach to reopening, but our industry simply cannot afford for just short haul to come back, or a stop start approach similar to what we saw last summer.
“There is confidence to visit the UK in markets such as the US, and there is only a short window of opportunity to maximise this competitive position.”
Image: Andrew Catterall/Alamy Stock Photo

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