A United Nations' World Tourism Organization report shows 2020 was the most recent worst year for international tourism.
International travel dropped by around 74% last year - resulting in an estimated loss of more than $1.3 trillion, according to data collected by the World Tourism Organization.
International arrivals last year dropped by around 1 billion, the report said. The decline was the result of an unprecedented decrease in travel demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Compared with a travel decline of 4% during the 2009 world economic crisis, last year's drop was far more significant.
The World Tourism Organization report said tourism-related losses incurred last year were 11 times the losses recorded during the economic crisis. It said that between 100 million and 120 million tourism-related jobs were put at risk last year - most at small- to medium-sized companies.
While there have been efforts to restore travel and ensure public safety the crisis is far from over. New waves of the virus - including the emergence of new and potentially more dangerous strains - have forced some countries to reintroduce restrictions.
Reimposed travel restrictions and mandatory testing and quarantine have put additional pressure on international travel and tourism.
World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said countries would need to accelerate vaccine rollouts to restore consumer confidence. Successful distribution of vaccines is expected to result in the easement of travel restrictions and normalize travel, Pololikashvili added.
"The harmonization, coordination and digitalization of COVID-19 travel-related risk reduction measures, including testing, tracing and vaccination certificates, are essential foundations to promote safe travel and prepare for the recovery of tourism once conditions allow," Pololikashvili said.
The World Tourism Organization's official outlook for 2021 remains cautious. The organization conducted a survey that asked experts to share their expectations for this year.
Around 45% of respondents said it envisaged a better year, 25% said it expected more or less the same performance while 30% said it predicted worse results. However, most experts expect travel and tourism to return to pre-pandemic levels before 2023.
