The World tourism organization (UNWTO) held a virtual meeting on the problem of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, UNWTO reported.
The discussion was attended by representatives of the United Nations, chairs of the executive board and regional commissions of UNWTO, owners of hotel and restaurant businesses, airlines and travel agencies.
"This unprecedented public health emergency is already an economic crisis that will have social consequences," said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. According to him, tourism is the most affected by the coronavirus sector of the economy.
The meeting expressed concern about the millions of jobs that could be lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the fact that 80% of tourism oriented firms, companies and enterprises are small and medium-sized businesses.
"The livelihoods of millions of people and their families are in question, whether in urban centers or in remote areas, where tourism is sometimes the main income - generating activity and a means of social integration, protecting heritage and initiating development," Pololikashvili said.
He said that UNWTO will soon publish a number of recommendations for national governments and industry bodies to restore the tourism economy.
The meeting supported the proposal of UNWTO to establish a global coordinating committee with their participation, which would hold virtual meetings to review and make recommendations as events unfolded.
As a result of the discussion, the UNWTO anti-crisis slogan "Stay home today so you can travel tomorrow" was approved.
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