UNWTO , WTTC express solidarity with the Chinese government for acting swiftly to control coronavirus

Travel Biz News —

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has expressed its solidarity with the Chinese people, its government and tourism sector for acting swiftly and decisively to control the spread of coronavirus.

“The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is closely monitoring developments related to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), both in China and worldwide and is cooperating closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), “UNWTO said in a statement.

“Since the very start of the emergency, the Chinese authorities have acted swiftly and decisively,” the Organization said.

“In recent years, China has emerged as a true global tourism leader, both as a source market and as a leading destination in itself, providing livelihoods for millions of people across the country. And tourism will offer a valuable lifeline as China recovers and rebuilds from this setback, just as the sector has proven its resilience many times before.”

“The cooperation of the tourism sector will be vital in stopping the spread of the virus and limiting its impact on people and communities. Tourists also have a responsibility to inform themselves before they travel in order to limit the threat of transmission, and they should follow the recommendations of the WHO and their own national health authorities,” UNWTO said.

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.

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.

Similarly, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said in a statement that containing the spread of unnecessary panic is as important as stopping the virus itself.

“The coronavirus outbreak in China could have a damaging and lasting economic impact on the global Travel & Tourism sector unless lessons are learned from previous viral epidemics,” Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said in a statement.

Analysis of previous major viral epidemics by experts from WTTC shows that the average recovery time for visitor numbers to a destination was 19 months, but with the right response and management could recover in as little as 10 months.

While action is being taken, in relation to the coronavirus, by the Chinese authorities to restrict movement in those areas most immediately at risk, the WTTC also supports additional measures being taken further afield, across Asia Pacific, Europe and here in the UK.

However, speaking about the coronavirus, Gloria Guevara, said: “While the risk of exposure for travellers and tourists is still low, we are naturally concerned about those who have been affected already. Experience has taught us that global coordination and cooperation, with collaboration between the public and private sector, is going to be vital in containing the spread of the coronavirus throughout China and beyond.”

“Previous cases have also shown us that closing airports, cancelling flights and closing borders often has a greater economic impact than the outbreak itself. The most effective management of a crisis requires rapid activation of effective emergency plans, and we can see that in the early days of this outbreak, the Chinese government has acted rapidly.  Quick, accurate and transparent communication is also crucial in order to contain panic and mitigate negative economic losses,” WTTC said.

More than 20,000 cases and 425 deaths had been reported in China so far.

Feb. 3 , 2020

Photo : China builds new hospital in 10 days to combat coronavirus . Aerial photo taken on Feb. 2, 2020 shows the Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak in central China’s Hubei Province. – Xinhua/Cheng Min