Tourism will Not Bounce Again- UNWTO, WHO, the EU failed, however…
We need to build a new multilateral system from scratch, brick by brick. We need to build a system that does not depend on the principles of have and have. Traveling is about connecting everyone everywhere.
- The UNWTO and other international organizations have failed and tourism will not bounce back, said Dr. Taleb Rifai, former Secretary General of the UNWTO
- The travel sector is without a doubt one of the hardest hit sectors due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, each government works for itself and does what it thinks best to protect its people. This is expected and understandable.
- What we need is a new multilateral system, a more harmonized, fairer and more equitable system, because it does not matter how successful each country is on its own.
Dr. Taleb Rifai has been Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) twice. Today Dr. Rifai has many hats, including serving as a board member and co-founder of the World Tourism Network (WTN).
Rifai said: “Four years ago I had an interview with a Portuguese workmedia network by Victor Jorge and was asked how I would define the current moment at that time, including terrorism, BREXIT and the election of US President Donald Trump. At the time, nobody expected the COVID crisis and the effects it would have on the travel and tourism industries. “As predicted by Rifai, tourism recovered a year later.
Dr. Rifai stated in another interview with the same Portuguese news channel today: “I believe this is now a defining moment in human history as a whole. Everything will change. Tourism will not get back on its feet.
“Today we’re not going to jump back, but we’re going to jump forward into a new world, a new norm. It can become a better and more sustainable world.
“I am therefore very optimistic that we will not travel back in time, but will achieve more sustainable growth – everywhere.
“The travel sector is undoubtedly one of the hardest hit sectors due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, each government works for itself and does what it thinks best to protect its people. This is expected and understandable. Life is the most important thing to worry about. Governments are doing their best to protect their people.
“Each country must first coordinate its actions and procedures with its neighbors. The trick is not to do a perfect job yourself. Indeed, minimum procedures must be agreed, starting with the surrounding objectives and reaching an international level. Read on Click on Continue.
