Majority of Global Tourists Unconcerned by Pandemic: GlobalData

GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, conducted a live poll which revealed that 57 per cent of respondents are “not concerned” or are “not very concerned” about the spread of COVID-19. This indicated that tourists are more prepared to live with the pandemic.

Hannah Free, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The outlook for tourism in many countries is brighter than at any time in the past two years. However, the turbulence and uncertainty of COVID-19 has created several challenges which are likely to further complicate recovery. Rising demand, coupled with mass layoffs and competition for talent with other sectors, has resulted in widespread labour shortages in several tourism economies such as the UK, the Netherlands, and Spain.”

As countries gradually lift travel restrictions and tourism restarts in many parts of the world, hygiene and safety must continue to be a priority and coordinated heath protocols that protect workers, communities, and travellers, while supporting companies and workers, must be firmly in place to boost travel confidence.

Free adds: “The global travel and tourism industry’s post-pandemic recovery is gaining traction as pent-up demand for international travel rekindles. According to GlobalData’s latest forecasts, on a global scale, international departures will reach 68 per cent of pre-COVID levels in 2022. This is expected to improve to 82 per cent in 2023, and 97 per cent in 2024, before fully recovering by 2025 at 101 per cent of 2019 levels. There is reason to be cautiously optimistic for the return of travel demand as growth in international travel is finally expected in 2022.”

During May 2022, international arrivals to the Maldives saw a 21.8 per cent increase compared to May 2019 and a 94.3 per cent growth compared to last year.

Featured Image by Asad Photo Maldives