Tourism and coronavirus

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.

Rome [ENA] Italian measures to address the coronavirus emergency have been "resolute and swift", the European Union declared today. Speaking in Rome after meeting Health Minister Roberto Speranza, European Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said "I'd like to say that right from the start the EU Commission felt the need to voice absolute solidarity with Italy and the personnel in the field, who immediately implemented

resolute and swift measures to reduce the threat of this virus". With 63.2 million tourists a year (2018), Italy is the fifth most visited country in international tourism arrivals and Italian Tourism is vulnerable to the effects of public health emergencies and is already being affected by this outbreak. However, it is too early to fully estimate the impacts this outbreak will have. As the current outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) continues to develop, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are committed to working together in guiding the travel and tourism sectors’ response to COVID-19. On 30 January 2020, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)

declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and issued a set of Temporary Recommendations. WHO did not recommend any travel or trade restriction based on the current information available. WHO is working thoroughly with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus, to follow the spread and virulence of the virus, and to offer advice to countries and the global community on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this epidemic. During times of crisis, tourism has to live up to its responsibility as an integral part of wider society. The sector must put people and their wellbeing first.

The cooperation of the tourism sector will be crucial in stopping the spread of the virus and reducing its impact on people and communities. Tourists have a responsibility to inform themselves before they travel in order to limit the danger of transmission, and they should follow the recommendations of the WHO and their own national health authorities. UNWTO as the specialized UN agency for tourism will continue supporting WHO, the lead UN agency for the management of this outbreak by advising and providing tourism specific guidance. The tourism sector is fully committed to putting people and their well-being first. International cooperation is vital for ensuring the sector can effectively contribute to the containment of COVID-19.

UNWTO and WHO are working in close consultation and with other partners to assist States in ensuring that health measures be implemented in ways that minimize unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade. Tourism’s response needs to be measured and consistent, proportionate to the public health threat and based on local risk assessment, involving every part of the tourism value chain – public bodies, private companies and tourists, in line with WHO’s overall guidance and recommendations.

UNWTO and WHO are prepared to work closely with all those communities and countries affected by the current health emergency, to build for a better and more resilient future. Travel restrictions going beyond these may cause unnecessary interference with international traffic, including negative repercussions on the tourism sector. At this challenging time, UNWTO and WHO join the international community in standing in solidarity with affected countries.