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UN / GUTERRES COVID-19 TOURISM
STORY: UN / GUTERRES COVID-19 TOURISM
TRT: 02:53
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH /NATS
DATELINE: 20 AUGUST 2020, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
1. Exterior shot, UN Headquarters
20 AUGUST 2020, NEW YORK CITY
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations:
“Tourism is one of the world’s most important economic sectors. It employs one in every ten people on Earth and provides livelihoods to hundreds of millions more. It boosts economies and enables countries to thrive. It allows people to experience some of the world’s cultural and natural riches and brings people closer to each other, highlighting our common humanity. Indeed, one might say that tourism is itself one of the wonders of the world. That is why it has been so painful to see how tourism has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first five months of this year, international tourist arrivals decreased by more than half and some 320 billion US dollars in exports from tourism were lost. Overall, some 120 million direct jobs in tourism are at risk. Many are in the informal economy or in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which employ a high proportion of women and young people. The crisis is a major shock for developed economies, but for developing countries, it is an emergency, particularly for many small island developing states and African countries. For women, rural communities, indigenous peoples and many other historically marginalized populations, tourism has been a vehicle for integration, empowerment and generating income. Tourism is also a key pillar for the conservation of natural and cultural heritage. The fall in revenues has led to increased poaching and habitat destruction in and around protected areas, and the closure of many World Heritage Sites has deprived communities of vital livelihoods. It is imperative that we rebuild the tourism sector. But it must be in a way that is safe, equitable and climate friendly. Transport-related greenhouse gas emissions could rebound sharply if recovery is not aligned with climate goals. Supporting the millions of livelihoods that depend on tourism means building a sustainable and responsible travel experience that is safe for host communities, workers and travellers. To aid recovery, I have identified five priority areas. First, mitigate the socio-economic impacts of the crisis. Second, build resilience across the entire tourism value chain. Third, maximize the use of technology in the tourism sector. Fourth, promote sustainability and green growth. And fifth, foster partnerships to enable tourism to further support the Sustainable Development Goals. Let us ensure tourism regains its position as a provider of decent jobs, stable incomes and the protection of our cultural and natural heritage.”
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
3. Exterior shot, UN Headquarters
“Supporting the millions of livelihoods that depend on tourism means building a sustainable and responsible travel experience that is safe for host communities, workers and travellers,” said the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, launching today (25 Aug) his Policy Brief on Tourism.
“Tourism is one of the world’s most important economic sectors. It employs one in every ten people on Earth and provides livelihoods to hundreds of millions more,” said the Secretary-General. “Indeed, one might say that tourism is itself one of the wonders of the world. That is why it has been so painful to see how tourism has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In the Brief, the UN Secretary-General provided an overview of the socio-economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, including on the millions of livelihoods it sustains.
“The crisis is a major shock for developed economies, but for developing countries, it is an emergency, particularly for many small island developing states and African countries,” he said.
According to Guterres, some USD 320 billion in exports from tourism were lost and globally, some 120 million direct jobs in tourism are at risk, many in the informal economy or in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which employ a high proportion of women and young people.
“For women, rural communities, indigenous peoples and many other historically marginalized populations, tourism has been a vehicle for integration, empowerment and generating income,” he said.
The brief highlights the role that tourism plays in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, including its relationship with environmental goals and culture.
“Tourism is also a key pillar for the conservation of natural and cultural heritage,” the UN Secretary-General said. “The fall in revenues has led to increased poaching and habitat destruction in and around protected areas, and the closure of many World Heritage Sites has deprived communities of vital livelihoods”.
To aid recovery of the tourism sector, the Secretary-General highlighted five priority areas, including mitigating the socio-economic impacts of the crisis, building resilience across the entire tourism value chain, maximizing the use of technology in the tourism sector, promoting sustainability and green growth and fostering partnerships to enable tourism to further support the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Let us ensure tourism regains its position as a provider of decent jobs, stable incomes and the protection of our cultural and natural heritage,” Guterres said.
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