Impact of Russia-Ukraine war on tourism
At a time where diplomacy has been abandoned, the values of tourism, a pillar of peace and solidarity, are more vital than ever
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Russia's assault on Ukraine threatens to become the largest European conflict in decades. A vigorous but judicious Western and global response is critical to limit the damage.
After two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, people, as well as whole societies and economies, have suffered enough. Nobody cannot afford for this to continue. It is time to rebuild and look to the future with hope, not fear.
Peace and mutual understanding are essential ingredients for recovery. Now is the time to work in unison, and for diplomacy instead of conflict in all parts of the world. Political tensions cannot be allowed to turn a man-made crisis that will undermine collective progress.
Turkey could be one of the most affected by the Russian invasion. Russians accounted for 19 per cent of foreign visitors to Turkey in 2021, with 4.7 million people, while Ukraine was the third largest source of tourists at 8.3 per cent with 2 million people.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is likely to hurt tour agencies and hotels in Thailand, which are the backbone of the tourism industry. The uncertainty created by the Ukraine conflict comes as rapidly falling Covid rates and easing of international restrictions have fuelled a strong and steady rise in demand for global travel.
The Federal Aviation Administration expanded the no-fly zone in eastern Europe for US carriers to include all of Ukraine and Belarus, as well as part of western Russia. Air travel worldwide is getting messier too. After Britain banned Russian Aeroflot flights to the U.K., Russia banned all British flights from its airspace.
Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA says, I am appalled by the unlawful invasion of Ukraine by Russia and stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people under siege. Aviation promotes peace and freedom by bringing people together. But these last days have seen peace shattered, the human cost of which is horrifying.
My heart goes out to all the people of Ukraine, including industry partners and colleagues. Many of those flights are being rerouted through nearby countries, according to the International Air Transport Association. But the group warned Thursday that "closure of additional airspace could impact this scenario."
Tourism is the main bridge for building understanding. It has a unique ability to promote peace between and among peoples everywhere. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) stands firmly with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his call for all countries to settle disputes through peaceful means and not through conflict, and that they respect international security and justice at all times. As a part of the UN, giving a voice to people of all regions, backgrounds and nationalities, UNWTO also believes that the spirit of international solidarity and shared values that define not just tourism but also our common humanity will prevail. We also hope that diplomatic efforts to avoid conflict continue and succeed.
UNWTO strongly condemns unilateral and unjustified acts of aggression and stands by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his call for diplomacy to win out. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: "At a time where diplomacy has been abandoned, the values of tourism, a pillar of peace and solidarity, are more vital than ever."
UNWTO, WHO and the new trust architecture
At a time where diplomacy has been abandoned, the values of tourism, a pillar of peace and solidarity, are more vital than ever. At the start of the week, UNWTO was welcomed to the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) by its Director-General Dr Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Together, the leaders of the two UN agencies agreed on the importance of lifting or easing travel restrictions wherever possible, citing their ineffectiveness and the economic and social cost of closing borders to tourists.
Pololikashvili stressed that "UNWTO is proud to work with WHO to restart tourism safely and responsibly for the benefit of many across the world." UNWTO and WHO agree on the need for a new "trust architecture" to restore confidence in travel and kickstart the sector's recovery.
Covid requirements or people's fear to travel are now a major hurdle for these industries. The war in the Ukraine means that there is now a war in Europe, the heartland of tourism. This war is occurring when the travel and tourism not only have not yet recovered from unprecedented economic hardships, but also in many tourism locations struggling merely to survive. These hardships not only include loss of income for those employed in the tourism and travel industries, but also changes in travel patterns, lack of service personnel, and multiple supply chain challenges.
