[ad_1]
The return of domestic travel in some parts of the world, such as China, will result in the loss of fewer tourism jobs this year due to Covid-19 border restrictions.
In its latest report, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said 174 million jobs will have been lost by the end of 2020 if international travel restrictions are maintained. This is a slight improvement over the job loss estimate of 197 million WTTC in June.
In a press release, WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said: “Our latest data reveals the severity of the long-term negative impact facing the global travel and tourism sector, if we do not work together to resume travel. international immediately. “
He added: “Since travel restrictions around the world remained in place during the summer months, our estimates report an increase from 121 million to 143 million jobs lost. In just four months, our study has shown 22 million more threatened jobs around the world. This is devastating news and now we need coordinated international action. “
She stressed: “The recovery of the sector will be further delayed, with more jobs lost, unless quarantines are replaced by rapid and cost-effective tests at departure airports and air corridors. The longer we wait, the more the travel and tourism sector will face total collapse. “
The extended travel restrictions could also wipe out $ 4.7 trillion in the sector’s contribution to global gross domestic product this year, equivalent to a 53 percent loss from 2019.
WTTC highlighted, however, the strong recovery in China’s domestic market. It has also implemented comprehensive contact tracing and testing programs, along with improved health and hygiene protocols, which have further boosted the country’s domestic tourism.
The global organization of tourism leaders and travel experts recently unveiled its 100 Million Job Recovery Plan, which seeks to eliminate quarantines and other travel barriers by adopting an international testing regime along with rigorous health and safety protocols. , to allow the world to adapt to life. with Covid-19, while reducing the risk of spread.
The Philippines is among the countries trying to reopen their economy by boosting domestic tourism. So far, destinations that are now open or partially open to tourists from general community quarantine areas include Clark Freeport Zone, Boracay Island, Bataan, Bulacan, Baguio City, Ilocos Norte, El Nido, Polillo Island, and Cuyo Island. . (For a more detailed list, visit www.philippines.travel/safeph.) Will host the WTTC Global Summit in 2021.
One app to rule them all
To help drive domestic travel, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) launched a new travel app last Friday that gives users access to the latest travel advisories, safety guidelines, and information on the documentary requirements necessary for them to tourists visit various destinations in the country.
Called Travel Philippines, the app was developed at a cost of P20 million, in partnership with Himo Global Inc., a unit of Talino Ventures, makers of SafePass Philippines. TPB COO Ma. Anthonette Velasco-Allones said during her press release that TPB disbursed more than P6 million of the cost of the project, with the remainder being underwritten by Himo. TPB is the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT). “It’s a progressive app,” he said, “so with or without an internet connection, it will work.”
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said: “As we continue to reopen the country’s tourist destinations, Travel Philippines serves as the official guide for all tourists for safe and fun travel in time.” He added: “With the ever-changing needs and challenges in travel brought on by the pandemic, Travel Philippines will help domestic and international tourists have safer and more memorable travel experiences amid our ‘new normal’.”
For now, Travel Philippines has six major tourist destinations: Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, Baguio, Ilocos Norte and Metro Manila, which will be updated as more provinces reopen to tourism, Allones said.
Travel Philippines also has a built-in itinerary creator that integrates with its extensive catalog of tourist attractions, local restaurants, and lodging establishments. Users can bookmark any of the locations they read about within the platform and plan their trips based on their preferences. Tourists can also upload digital copies of relevant documents such as boarding passes, hotel reservations, and medical certificates to their personal Travel Philippines account.
The CEO of Himo and Talino, Winston Damarillo, stressed the security of all private data that the user enters in the application, due to its high level of encryption. Future features of the app, he said, include travel deals, cashless payments, e-commerce, to name a few.
He added: “We will publish our API [application programming interface] for local government units ”to be able to make their respective travel apps interact with Travel Philippines. Baguio and the Ilocos region, for example, have their own Visit registration app, while Bohol has its own contact tracing app / card.
