Forum sets out to revive tourism
Industry leaders call for cooperation, innovation to restore global travel confidence
Innovation and global collaboration are crucial to reviving and reshaping the travel and tourism industry in the post pandemic-era, government and industry leaders said on Dec 9.
Key speakers at the Global Tourism Economy Forum 2020 in Macao said that promoting safe, seamless and secure travel and restoring travelers’ confidence will be the key to rebuilding an industry hit hard by widespread border closures amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The theme of this year’s forum, hosted by Macao’s Secretariat for Economy and Finance, is “Solidarity and Innovation: Reshaping Tourism in the New Global Economy”.
Edmund Ho Hau-wah, forum chairman of the GTEF and vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said the “sudden and unexpected” COVID-19 outbreak has brought huge global challenges, but the destiny of all human beings is
“closely connected”.
As such, everyone must strengthen cooperation and coordination, face threats and challenges with collective efforts, and “make new advances amid changes”, Ho said.
Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization, said all stakeholders need to “work smarter and not only just harder”, adding that international collaboration must also be complemented by technology and innovation.
“New technology can accelerate the return of safe and seamless travel” and “enhance travel confidence”, Pololikashvili said in his keynote address. Innovation can also ensure that the benefits of tourism are felt more widely and fairly, he added.
Hu Heping, Chinese minister of culture and tourism and the GTEF’s honorary chairman, said the world should deepen cooperation in international tourism while adhering to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
China is “willing to enhance communication and cooperation with tourism departments and organizations of different countries, in order to create opportunities in openness, tackle challenges through cooperation, and contribute more to the highquality development of the international tourism industry,” Hu said.
Gao Yunlong, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, said players in the travel and tourism industry need to adopt “digitally driven, internet-based and smart growth” to transform the industry.
Gao, who also serves as chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and is an honorary chairman of the GTEF, said that in China, the tourism industry has shown “strong willingness and capability in innovation”.
According to a joint report by the World Tourism Organization and the Macao-based Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, in the first six months of 2020 alone, international tourist arrivals fell by 440 million, which translated into a loss of around $460 billion in revenues.
Dowson Tong, senior executive vice-president of technology giant Tencent, said people are “most innovative when facing tough challenges”.
In his presentation on digital technology to enhance travel, Tong said businesses need to adapt to changing consumer behavior. “A new normal will arise after the pandemic because travelers will think differently and behave differently,” he said.
Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s minister of tourism, noted how the decline in tourist arrivals has dented the global economy and resulted in the layoffs of millions of workers. He said the tourism industry is a “unique driver of economic and social value”. Citing data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, Al-Khateeb said the industry contributes 10 percent to the global economy and employs more than 300 million people worldwide.
Gloria Guevara, the World Travel and Tourism Council’s president and CEO as well as honorary GTEF chairman, said recovering lost jobs entails coordinated testing programs and protocols at departure points to encourage people to travel again.
Air travel throughout the world is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2021, as more international travel will be seen from June, said AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes. As part of the Asia Leadership Special Interview Series on the forum, he shared insights on the survival strategies of the air-travel industry and the recovery of the tourism industry in the current challenging economic climate.
Fernandes predicted that airlines’ domestic markets will recover first, and regional passenger travel will follow. He said he has seen a strong recovery in the domestic markets of China, Thailand and Malaysia. When borders are ready to open up, Asia will be in the lead, he added.