COVID-19 restricts 96% of tourism destinations in the world

According to a study by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 96% of the world’s destinations introduced travel restrictions in response to COVID-19.

Around 90 destinations have closed all or part of their borders to tourists, while another 40 are closed to certain tourists, depending on the country of origin.

This analysis considers data until April 6 of the current year.

The scale of disruption caused by COVID-19 in tourism is explained in a new report by UNWTO on travel restrictions.

This report, released as the sector experiences an unprecedented shock, shows that virtually every destination in the world has imposed travel restrictions since January 2020, in many cases banning them entirely, in order to contain the pandemic.

Tourism and coronavirus

In recent years, as a specialized agency of the United Nations, UNWTO has regularly monitored progress in facilitating travel, and has observed a continuing trend towards greater openness. COVID-19 has abruptly interrupted this trend.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “COVID-19 has affected travel and tourism like no other event in history. Governments have put public health first and have introduced total or partial restrictions on travel. ”

He added that with tourism suspended, the benefits generated by the sector are threatened: millions of jobs could be lost, and the progress achieved in the areas of equality and sustainable economic growth could be reversed.

«Therefore, UNWTO urges governments to continually review travel restrictions and to relax or lift them as soon as it can be done safely,» he added.

This UNWTO global study shows that different regions of the world have had similar responses to COVID-19. In Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East, 100% of destinations have imposed COVID-19-related restrictions since January 2020. In the Americas, 92% of destinations have taken similar measures, while in Europe the proportion is 93% (as of April 6).

The degree of response evolves

More specifically, the analysis identifies four types of key restrictive measures, namely:

• Complete or partial closure of the borders to tourists.
  Travel restrictions by destination («Passengers who have stopped or stayed at x cannot enter x»).
  Total or partial suspension of flights.
  Various measures, including some quarantine or self-confinement requirements, medical certificate, invalidation or suspension of visa issues, etc.