The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called for strong leadership from the UK, to save the struggling tourism sector.
The unprecedented move was supported by over 100 major travel and global business leaders
The unprecedented move is supported by over 100 major travel and global business leaders including airlines, airports, hotels, tour operators, and travel companies. A letter was signed by the industry leaders, which was called for urgent coordinated action, to the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and nine other heads of the state. The members of the G7 group of countries are included along with Australia, South Korea, and Spain, which are all major market sources. WTTC anticipates irreversible damage to the tourism sector if global leaders fail to come together. Also, the number of job losses around the world continue to increase as the travel restrictions remain in place.
The Chief Executive of WTTC, Gloria Guevara, stated: “As the tourism sector buckles under mounting pressure and the global economy struggles to survive, we have to ask – who is in charge of getting us out of this crisis and will lead the world to save the jobs and secure the futures of the many millions of people globally? We have reached a stage where critical action is urgently needed.”
Further adding: “While we recognize each country must protect their citizens and the priority to date has been domestic matters, any measures taken in silos moving forward will only worsen the plight of millions of ordinary people. We need to transcend politics and put the millions of livelihoods, which have been affected by Covid-19, front and center.
“From cabin crew to hotel staff, travel agents to call center agents, waiters to housekeepers, and many more who are the unsung heroes who depend upon a thriving tourism sector,” she continued.
“The voices of ordinary people must be heard, and we are calling on them to let world leaders know, in no uncertain terms, that the time for action is now.”
Among the supporting of the WTTC move were the major airline business leaders such as British Airways, Etihad, Emirates, Jet2, WestJet, and Virgin Atlantic. While the top international hotel group business leaders which supported the move were Accor, Best Western, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental, Marriott, Mandarin Oriental, Meliá Hotel,s and Radisson. Major Tour operators and travel companies like Abercrombie & Kent, American Express, Carlson Wagonlit, Expedia, Travelpor, ,TU,I and Uber supported the move.
Also Read: Thailand To Stay Closed For International Tourists Until 2021
