The World Travel & Tourism Council has warned that more than three million UK travel and tourism jobs could be lost due to Covid-19 and the government’s current policies regarding travel.
The body blamed the confusing travel restrictions, quarantines and ‘uncoordinated international testing and tracing measures’ as for low consumer confidence.
WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said: “The jobs and livelihoods of millions of people who work throughout the sector are disappearing by the day, despite our warning this could happen.
“While we acknowledge the UK government’s efforts to support Travel & Tourism during this crisis, the UK alone looks set to lose three million jobs in the sector, creating an economic black hole of US$186 billion in the country’s finances. This is due to an international failure to implement proper coordination to combat the pandemic.
“Governments around the world must align their policies and work hand in hand with the private sector to revive Travel & Tourism, so we can restore jobs and help revive the global economy,” she continued.
“We strongly believe that by working as one we can beat COVID-19 and return to safe travels with world class standards of hygiene to travellers and regenerate the jobs and livelihoods of the 300 million people who worked in the sector before Covid-19. That is a much more cost effective and efficient option which will alleviate the terrible economic impact of mass unemployment.”
