Tourism ministers of the G20 nations have pledged to step up their efforts to place sustainability and inclusion at the heart of tourism recovery and future growth. "We welcome the progress achieved during Saudi Arabia's G20 Presidency on key topics; including global commitments made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; the progression of inclusive community development through tourism; and also the advancement of safe and seamless travel and improved traveler experience; the ministers said in a communiqué; following their virtual meeting on Wednesday.
In addition; they highlighted the crucial role of tourism as a means of sustainable socio-economic development.
"We stress that the travel and tourism sector is one of the most heavily impacted sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic, with an anticipated 60-80% decline in international tourism in 2020. We recognize that COVID-19 may result in a paradigm shift for the travel and tourism sector;" the ministers said.
The tourism leaders vowed to continue to work together through international and public-private cooperation to facilitate the sector's recovery from the pandemic and support those most impacted by the crisis within the sector including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and developing economies that rely on travel and tourism, especially in Africa and small island states.
