The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has cried out that the Coronavirus pandemic now threatens over 50 million jobs in the global travel and tourism sector.
In a Letter to Governments around the world, Gloria Guevara, the President & CEO of WTTC said the sector contributes over 10.4 percent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 320 million jobs. She said the COVID-19 pandemic has put about 50 million jobs at risk.
“Without Travel & Tourism, economies around the world face an existential threat.”
Guevara therefore called on governments around the world to support the survival of the sector by rendering financial help to protect the income of millions of workers in the travel and tourism industry; extend interest-free loans to major operators and SMEs in the sector to avoid corporate collapse and to waive taxes, dues and other financial demands with immediate effect for 12 months.