Tourism: Africa lagging behind in lockdown
May 19, 2020
“Tourism has been the hardest hit of all the major sectors as countries lockdown and people stay at home,” says UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.
At 57% closure of borders worldwide, research by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has Africa tailing in terms of tourism.
Europe towers at 83% having effected complete closure of borders for international tourism while the US follows at 80%, Asia and the Pacific at 70% and the Middle East at 62%.
"Tourism has been the hardest hit of all the major sectors as countries lockdown and people stay at home," says UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.
"A lot is desired to support the timely recovery of tourism from this crisis."
Pololikashvili proceeds to call on governments to co-ordinate while easing and lifting the restrictions in a timely and responsible manner, when it is deemed safe to do so.
Adding that: "Tourism is a lifeline to millions, especially in the developing world. Opening the world up to tourism again will save jobs, protect livelihoods, and enable our sector to resume its vital role in driving sustainable development."
The good news is that discussions regarding the lifting of restrictions are underway.
According to the data collected by UNWTO, out of 217 destinations worldwide, 156 (72%) have placed a complete stop on international tourism as of April 27.
Agreeing to the findings, the chairman of the Association of Uganda Tourism Operators (AUTO), Silver Kayondo, says a lot of business and jobs have been lost since the Uganda government imposed travel restrictions to contain COVID-19.
"The tourism industry was the first to suffer from cancellations of bookings and unfortunately, we will be the last to recover," stresses Kayondo.
"Lives and resources have been lost from our source markets. You do not expect family members to go on holiday after burying a loved one."
The Uganda Tourism Board chief executive officer, Lilly Ajarova, says the damage done on the industry cannot be ignored following various global travel restrictions.
"Let us keep our hands crossed as we prepare for Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo next year," says Ajarova. "So far no destination has lifted or eased travel restrictions."
Ajarova says opening the world up to tourism will save jobs, protect livelihoods, and enable the industry to resume its vital role in driving sustainable development in the country.
The presidential advisor on tourism, Amos Wekesa, agrees that more than 200, 000 Ugandans go to Mombasa, Malindi or Dubai making it the third source after the US and UK.
"35,000 other Ugandans go to Dubai annually, leaving behind destinations they know nothing about," asserts Wekesa.
"The challenge is to up the marketing of Uganda to Ugandans."
The Uganda Wildlife Authority spokesman, Bashir Hangi, says during the lockdown, there has been both the good and bad news.
"We had two births of gorillas," says Hangi. "Besides that, as the water level of Lake Victoria was rising, communities near water bodies were displaced and lived in fear for their lives as crocodiles and hippos got closer to them."