The impact of COVID-19 on tourism around the globe | COVID-19 Special

Summary

This video reports on tourism’s collapse under the COVID-19 pandemic and its ripple effects worldwide. In Berlin and Kenya’s Maasai Mara region, empty boats, hotels and halted visitors devastate livelihoods—forcing conservation projects to pay locals for river cleanups and provide emergency food. An OECD expert explains tourism may fall 60–80% in 2020, with domestic travel offering limited relief, and argues for rebuilding a more sustainable, community-centered sector. The piece also reviews why Europe was an early epicenter, how countries eased lockdowns, and closes with WHO-backed home-care advice for mild COVID-19 symptoms while urging medical help for severe warning signs.

Takeaways

• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic halted global tourism, affecting cities like Berlin, where tourism-dependent businesses like hotels and boats saw severe declines in customers.
• 😀 Tourism in Berlin, which usually operates at 80% capacity, dropped to around 20%, putting livelihoods at risk for many workers in the industry.
• 😀 In Kenya, the Maasai Mara's local communities, which rely heavily on tourism for income, are struggling due to the loss of visitors, with the region facing significant economic losses.
• 😀 Women in the Maasai Mara are cleaning local rivers as part of a conservation project funded by a local initiative, helping restore the ecosystem while also earning a small daily wage.
• 😀 The Maasai Mara National Conservancy, which has been successful in restoring wildlife, faces financial challenges as tourism, which provides about 20% of its income, has stalled due to the pandemic.
• 😀 The pandemic has revealed that over-reliance on tourism for economic sustainability is problematic, and alternative revenue streams are crucial for resilience.
• 😀 Local markets in the Mara region have been shut down, severely affecting trade and making basic goods like food harder to obtain for the population.
• 😀 The global tourism sector faces a predicted 60-80% decline in international travel in 2020, with domestic tourism offering the best short-term recovery prospects in OECD countries.
• 😀 Governments and businesses in the tourism sector are looking for ways to rebuild the industry sustainably, balancing economic recovery with health and safety concerns due to the ongoing pandemic.
• 😀 The pandemic presents an opportunity to rethink the future of tourism, aiming for a more sustainable, manageable growth model that supports both local communities and the environment.

Q & A

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted tourism in Berlin?

The pandemic has severely affected tourism in Berlin, with businesses like pleasure boats, hotels, and restaurants facing significant declines in visitors. Tourism was once a major economic driver, but now the industry is operating at only around 20% capacity, causing huge losses and unemployment for people dependent on tourism.

What are some of the current challenges facing communities that depend on tourism in Kenya?

In Kenya, tourism-related businesses are at a standstill due to the pandemic, which has affected local economies that rely on tourism. Many people in the region worked as guides, rangers, or in hotels, and now they are struggling to survive without tourism income. There has also been a disruption in local markets, and food access has become a major issue.

What role does the National Maasai Conservancy play in conservation, and how is it funded?

The National Maasai Conservancy plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation and ecosystem restoration. It is supported by the local Maasai community and relies on funding from donors and tourism. However, with the decline in tourism, the conservancy is looking for other funding sources to sustain its operations and support the community.

What is the main environmental issue facing the National Maasai Conservancy?

The main environmental issue is pollution in the local river, which has been heavily affected by urban activities upstream. The river is a vital resource for the community, providing water for cooking, cleaning, and livestock, and its contamination is a significant concern for both local residents and wildlife.

Why is tourism considered important to the local economy in the Mara region, and how is the lack of it affecting people there?

Tourism is a critical source of income for the Mara region, with many locals depending on it for jobs as guides, rangers, or vendors of local crafts. The collapse of tourism has led to financial instability, with many in the community now struggling to meet basic needs like food and healthcare.

What are some of the lessons being learned from the impact of the pandemic on tourism?

One key lesson is the need for the tourism sector to become more resilient to future shocks, including pandemics. There is also a growing realization that tourism should be more sustainable, balancing the benefits with the environmental and social costs, such as overcrowding and pressure on local infrastructure.

What is the OECD's perspective on how the tourism sector can recover from the pandemic?

According to the OECD, domestic tourism offers the best chance for recovery in the short term, but it won't fully compensate for the loss of international tourists. The focus is on rebuilding a more sustainable and resilient tourism model, one that balances economic benefits with environmental and community needs.

How has the pandemic led to a rethinking of tourism's impact on communities and the environment?

The pandemic has highlighted the negative effects of unmanaged tourism growth, such as overcrowding and strain on local resources. This has prompted calls to rethink tourism by focusing on more sustainable, community-centered models that minimize the environmental footprint and prioritize local culture and heritage.

What measures are being taken in OECD countries to support the recovery of tourism?

OECD countries are supporting tourism recovery by easing domestic travel restrictions, reopening businesses like shops and schools, and carefully managing international tourism. Governments are also working on reimagining the tourism sector to ensure a more resilient and sustainable future.

What challenges remain in reopening tourism while still managing COVID-19 risks?

The challenge is finding the right balance between reopening tourism to support the economy and keeping people safe from COVID-19. Although restrictions have been eased in many countries, there is still anxiety about a potential resurgence of cases. Ensuring that the virus does not spread while welcoming tourists back is a delicate task.