The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic has triggered an unprecedented crisis in the tourism economy, given the immediate and immense shock to the sector. Revised international estimates on the COVID-19 impact point to 75/80% decline in international tourism in 2020. This could rise to 85/90% if recovery is delayed until Spring 2021 or longer, if hindered by the uncertain length of the pandemic (including resurgence) and vaccine. This puts as many as 120 million jobs globally at risk if international tourism within specific geographic-regions (e.g. in the Mediterranean) does not rebound.

Domestic tourism, which accounts for around 75% of the tourism economy in many OECD countries, was prematurely expected to recover more quickly. It offered the main chance for driving recovery, particularly in Mediterranean countries and islands, regions and cities where the sector supports most jobs and businesses. Coastal tourism figures have shown that this was not the case.

The impact of the crisis is being felt throughout the entire tourism ecosystem, and reopening and rebuilding destinations will require a joined up approach. Tourism businesses and workers must benefit from economy-wide stimulus packages, with many governments also introducing tourism specific measures. Coastal communities were hardest hit, with an estimated 7 billion EURO fall in GDP across Small Island Developing States due to the decline in tourism. The links between ocean-based sectors and land-based economies mean that these impacts have and will continue to have economic and social repercussions across the entire economy.

Furthermore, the travel and tourism industry and governments should continue to reinforce their coordination mechanisms to accompany the businesses, notably the smallest ones, and the workers. Particular attention should be given also to the most sensitive and vulnerable destinations in the recovery phase when and if this arrives. It is needed to consider the longer term implications of the crisis, while staying ahead of the digital curve, supporting the low carbon transition, and promoting the structural transformation needed to build a stronger, more sustainable and resilient tourism economy. One key factor that stands out in the Mediterranean, is the need for extensive education throughout the tourism industry regarding the coastal zones and their conservation values.

The crisis may be an opportunity to rethink tourism for the future, with an eye on the UN SDGs and the unknown form of tourism in the New Normal.