The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put 120 million tourism jobs at risk according to the UN Chief Mr Antonio Guterres, the Chronicle reports.
According to Guterres, the global tourism industry which is the world’s largest industry after fuel and chemicals has lost $320billion since 5 months ago when the pandemic spread to other countries.
Said the UN chief in an update last week:
(The tourism industry) It employs one in every 10 people on Earth and provides livelihoods to hundreds of millions more. In addition to boosting economies, 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.
In a policy paper published by the organisation, the UN said the pandemic was also some industries that complement the tourism industry:
This has been a major shock for richer developed nations but for developing countries, it is an emergency, particularly for many small island developing states and African countries.
In addition to tourism jobs that are at risk, jobs in associated sectors, including food service, that provide employment for 144 million workers worldwide are also at risk. It stressed that small businesses are particularly vulnerable.
The organisation said recovery will be dependent on the evolution of economies out of the pandemic:
The recovery will be very much dependent on the evolution of the pandemic and the economic situation. No country has escaped the impact of Covid-19 on tourism.
More: The Chronicle