Category: Blog

Flight cancellation, visa restriction, and travel ban coronavirus have played havoc on global tourism. The world has never witnessed this kind of virus ever. Over 173 countries are affected by a coronavirus. Multiple airports have shut and the coronavirus is affecting global tourism. The Airline industry is facing losses and recessions. Cabin Crew is given suspended contracts and force resignations.

Since decades tourism contribution to the country’s economy is phenomenal. Almost every country in the world depends on tourism. However, the terror to stay inside affecting global tourism.

The Coronavirus affecting global tourism

The Coronavirus first recorded on 12 December 2019 in Wuhan the city of China. After that the cases started reporting from different parts of the country since then it hasn’t slowed down. There are around 231,362 cases of coronavirus around the world in more than 173 countries. The deadly corona has claimed around 11,187 lives which becomes a global health emergency in a short span of time. World health organization has also announced a health emergency in China. The SARS of 2003, was similar to Coronavirus, however, the impact was not as deadly as this.

Far East Asia mostly affected from coronavirus

Due to coronavirus, the tourism industry is facing a drastic decline around the world. China is already locking down its citizens and inbound traveling has almost ended. The coronavirus is not just affecting China’s tourism market but has also impact on other countries. After China, the most affected countries which faced a decline in tourists are from Far East Asia. The unofficial reports have claimed that 75% of leisure travelers have canceled their holidays to these countries. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia & Singapore are mainly based on the tourism industry and people are canceling their visits. According to reports, the hotel rooms are now 40% less than regular rates.

Thailand

Suvarnabhumi Airport was one of the busiest airports in the world however, it has no sign of life nowadays.

30% of the total tourists in Thailand are from China. Thailand recorded the second-most cases of coronavirus after China. Bangkok is the traveling hub and Thai Airways has become the center point to travel most of the Far East Asian countries. Thailand itself has recorded a loss of $3.51 billion in the tourism industry till now. Not only international tourism Thailand has also faced a decrease in domestic tourism. Thailand has around 33 confirmed cases of coronavirus even then it has not imposed any ban on Chinese travelers, unlike its neighboring country.

Singapore

Recently, a video went viral from Singapore showing how Universal Studios has become a ghost town. People have stop visiting tourist areas.

Singapore Changi Airport being vigilant started to deploy thermal cameras, and distributed hand sanitizer, masks, and vitamin C to travelers at the airport. The number of cases is still increasing even after the most effective measures. Tourism Economics report has warned that the travel industry will face high impact and economic loss in upcoming months. Although, anything couldn’t work and Singapore is without any tourists.

Vietnam

In accordance with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, it has also recorded a loss in tourism because of coronavirus. The loss is between $5.9 billion and $7.7 billion. The loss will continue.

Indonesia

Bali, Indonesia faces around 20,000 rooms booking cancellation. The country also has some cases of coronavirus and people stopped traveling.

USA and coronavirus affecting global tourism

The United States of America has canceled all airlines inbound and outbound. The CEO of American Airline said that the condition is worst than 9/11. When the twin towers were attacked the commercial airlines stopped, however soon after complete safety the operations started immediately. The US is in complete lockdown. Restaurants closed, theme parks shut, empty airport, the world has not witnessed anything like this before. There is an estimation of loss of $24 billion that the US tourism industry will face. The impact will carry on to 2021.

The following is the case when coronavirus just affected China. In the year 2018, Chinese tourists have contributed $34.6 billion to the US economy. As China shuts down the US will have its impact till the next few years. American tourism mostly depends on the Chinese. Most of the airlines from the USA have suspended their flights to mainland China including Hong Kong. The USA is expecting a $10.3 billion loss for not hosting Chinese visitors. In 2018, approximately an average Chinese traveler spent $6,500. During the SARS period, the USA faced a 30% decline in Chinese visitors. The consequences will be worst if virus is not controlled. However, now the country cannot opt for local tourism.

Saudi Arab tourism affected by Coronavirus

The holy cities of Muslims around the world, Mecca and Madinah are empty as Saudi Arabia’s government ban all types of religious and tourism travels. The country is in complete lockdown and there is not a single tourist left. They had given the last 72 hours to the Iqama holders to come back to the country. Saudi Arabia has even banned domestic traveling. According to a cabin crew of Saudi Airlines, they are given forced vacations and suspended contracts to go back to their home country.

UAE affected by Coronavirus

UAE solely depends on tourism. seven-star hotels, uncountable water parks, the world’s best theme parks all are closed. The country, itself ban tourists and ask resident visa holders to be in quarantine for 14 days after coming back to the country. If one does not comply readily for the heavy fine. Although it is giving a huge loss to the country’s tourism, the world is looking forward to October 2020’s Expo. The government of the UAE has invested around trillion dollars for the infrastructure. If the situation could not get better, the UAE will face the losses it could never come out of.

Europe affected by coronavisa

After mainland China, the continent of Europe is the worst affected by a coronavirus. The whole continent is shut and there are more deaths recorded in Italy than China. Europe was fully operational when coronavirus started to spread in China. However, in no time the whole continent faced havoc created by Coronavirus. Europe’s death toll rises to more than 5000. It is an alarming situation.

European cities are full of Chinese tourists, corona makes those cities empty. It’s hard to find any direct tourist from China. The fear escalated when a Chinese tourist aged 80, was died due to coronavirus in hospital in Paris. Soon, the coronavirus spread in the whole Europe in no time.

Italy

Italy has the worst condition in the world. We have no idea when things will get better. It has most of the elderly population in Europe and they are vulnerable. Let’s not talk about tourists even residents could not come out of there homes. it has the most death cases of coronavirus in the world. Check Statistics

For the last two decades, as China’s economy surged the number of visitors significantly increased in Italy. As in 2018, Chinese travelers spent $277 all around the world which was $10 Billion in the year 2000. On January 21, Italian minister Dario Franceschini, and Chinese minister of culture and tourism, Luo Shugang launched a multifaceted program for increasing cultural exchange and tourism between both the countries. The program also aims to double direct flights between Italy and China. However, just after 10 days because of the deadly corona, Italy had to suspend all flights from China. The quarantine of the most populous nation is not affecting its own country but the whole world.

Spain

Barcelona, Spain, was about to host the world’s biggest trade exhibition of mobile communication on 24th February which has now canceled due to virus fear. Although Spanish authorities confidently ensure about precautions and arrangements against coronavirus, big giants like Intel, Facebook and Amazon canceled their presence.

UK affected by Coronavirus

According to the national tourism agency of Britain, the average spent time of Chinese tourists is 16 days on their single stay. Chinese spent most of the time in Britain. Munich, Germany and Hallstatt, Austria is also one of the famous tourist destinations of Chinese. Right now, the UK has also faced a dramatic lockdown of the century. There are number of cases of Coronavirus in the UK. People are scared. They are neither traveling inbound nor outbound. The Queen has also shifted to Wales palace for safety.

Conclusion

The Coronavirus is all around the world there are only few countries that are not affected maybe 6 or 7. However, these countries are equally vulnerable. The most effective way to fight coronavirus is self-quarantine. Make sure one does not travel and remain inside until the situation got better.