The Future of the Tourism Industry

Introduction
2020 went on record as the worst year for tourism across the world. International travels
reduced by up to 73%, which meant that international tourism was affected by an almost similar
margin (World Tourism Organization a United Nations Specialized Agency). This is because
most countries limit people from other countries from accessing their borders. By the end of
April 2020, 26 tourist destinations had completely closed their borders. 25% of all global tourist
destinations were, at the time, partially closed (World Tourism Organization). However, a lot of
countries have been recovering from the pandemic. In remarkably, the tourism industry started
peaking again, albeit slowly. In November 2021, one out of every five tourist destinations had its
borders still completely closed. However, the response was different in different destinations.
Current Trends
Based on an impact assessment, tourism grew by 4% in 2021 (UNWTO). The year saw
415 million tourists arrive in different destinations across the world, and this was an increase of
15 million from what was recorded in 2020. However, data as of January 2022 shows that the
tourist arrivals are still 72% below what was recorded in 2019 before the pandemic struck
(UNWTO). Research shows that 98% of all destinations open for tourists still have some kind of
restrictions (World Tourism Organization). Global responses have varied, with different

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destination easing their restrictions at varying degrees. Given the nature of the pandemic,
restrictions are necessary to keep both the tourists and the tourism workers safe.
However, there is an increase in demand in the tourism industry, which has been driven
by progress in Covid-19 vaccinations and ease of travel restrictions in different destinations
(World Tourism Organization). Tourists’ travel confidence has significantly increased.
Destinations have been embracing evidence-based approaches to restrictions, and this has helped
restore confidence among travelers. The pandemic has been evolving, and destinations are taking
measures based on evidence.
Future Trends
2020 was the worst year in the tourism industry. 2021 was better with an increase in
demand, and more tourists were willing to travel. The pace of recovery, however, still remains
slow. This is mainly because different destinations have varying degrees of mobility restrictions,
and this has limited the numbers of tourists in such destinations. Destinations require all tourists
to be fully vaccinated. The safe easing of restrictions on travel has started to yield social and
economic benefits.
In the future, with the increased lift of restrictions, it is believed that more tourists will
travel to different destinations. It is anticipated that the tourism industry will continue to record a
slow but steady increase in the number of tourists. The future is promising for the industry.
National agencies have been providing prompt requirements in a consistent and reliable manner,
and this has led to an increase in numbers. As more countries continue to ease their restrictions,
then positive progress will be recorded. 2022 predictions estimate a 30% growth in tourist

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arrivals (EIU). By the end of the year, it is expected that the rate will have increased even
further.
Conclusion
The pandemic has posed challenges to the tourism industry. National authorities have
been responsive in ensuring that immigration procedures and travel requirements are provided
reliably and in a timely and consistent manner. This has ensured that travelers maintain
confidence and trust. Countries have been enforcing blanket travel restrictions, and these
measures have been found to be counterproductive. However, with an expected 30% increase in
arrivals this year, the upward trends show a promising recovery for the tourism industry.

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Works Cited
EIU. “Tourism In 2022”. Economist Intelligence Unit, 2022,
https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/tourism-in-2022/.
UNWTO. “Impact Assessment of the COVID-19 Outbreak on International Tourism |
UNWTO”. Unwto.Org, 2022, https://www.unwto.org/impact-assessment-of-the-covid-
19-outbreak-on-international-tourism.
World Tourism Organization a United Nations Specialized Agency. “Tourism Restarts: 40% Of
Destinations Have Now Eased Travel Restrictions | UNWTO”. Unwto.Org, 2022,
https://www.unwto.org/news/tourism-restarts-40-per-cent-of-destinations-have-now-
eased-travel-restrictions.
World Tourism Organization. “New COVID-19 Surges Keep Travel Restrictions In
Place”. Unwto.Org, 2022, https://www.unwto.org/news/new-covid-19-surges-keep-
travel-restrictions-in-place.