By Virgilio C. Ventura
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global tourism industry. As a major contributor to global GDP and employment, the tourism industry has experienced a sharp decline in revenues and job losses as country-to-country work performance continue to deteriorate and casualty body count continues to rise. Following the lead of China in implementing containment measures in February 2020, G20 countries moved for similar measures in their own borders. By March 11, 2020, The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Covid-19 as a pandemic. “In the first quarter of 2020, the period when the travel restrictions and lockdowns in most countries started, international tourist arrivals declined by 22% resulting in an estimated loss of US$80bn in global tourism receipts.”1/ According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), “tourist arrivals are estimated to have fallen 74 percent in 2020 compared to 2019.”2/
Here are some insights from the reviewed literature.
Changes in travel behavior and preferences. The pandemic has led to changes in travel behavior and preferences among tourists. Concerns about health and safety have become paramount, leading to a shift towards private transportation, such as private cars, and a decrease in the use of public transportation. Tourists are also showing a preference for outdoor and nature-based activities, avoiding crowded tourist attractions, and opting for destinations that offer more open spaces.
Decrease in travel frequency. The pandemic has led to a decrease in travel frequency among tourists. Travel restrictions, quarantine measures, and lockdowns have significantly reduced travel opportunities for tourists. Moreover, the fear and uncertainty surrounding the virus has led to a slump in demand among travelers, with many choosing to postpone or cancel their trips. “Tourist cruise ships that had recorded cases of COVID-19 found it particularly difficult to find a port that will allow them to dock, as exemplified in the case of the Diamond Princess.”3/
As concerns over the safety of its own citizens mounted during the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, country-to-country travel restrictions varies in terms of dates and criteria of travel restrictions or quarantine requirements as the gradual lifting of these restrictions are also primarily motivated by national economic policy pressures.
In China, travel restrictions were first imposed on March 28, 2020, when “foreigners from all countries were prohibited from entering China on most types of visas. Exceptions were given to those who held diplomatic, service, courtesy, or C visas; those traveling to China for necessary economic, trade, scientific, or technological activities; or out of emergency humanitarian needs. However, businesses “must take the necessary steps now to mitigate the potential impact of labor shortages and supply chain strain that may come with a surge in cases. As of November 11, 2022, “China further shortens mandatory hotel quarantine period for international arrivals, cancels the circuit breaker mechanism for inbound flights, and requires only one negative PCR test within 48 hours before boarding.”4/
In the US, “Washington makes decisions on opening borders with certain countries, guided by epidemiological indicators, and not political considerations. Likewise, “carriers have introduced flexible rules for canceling and transferring air tickets, and large air hubs are closing some of the terminals to provide more effective security measures in a pandemic. There are also far fewer cafes and shops at airports. Some sell the only takeaway.”5/ As of “May 12, 2023, DHS (Department of Homeland Security) will no longer require non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request.”6/
In the Philippines, while the country lifted a ban on travel from over 30 countries and regions on February 1, 2021, it does under selective mode for certain traveler groups as per the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 97 Series of 2021.7/ 8/As of May 30, 2023, “there is no more quarantine or Covid-19 test to provide, to enter the Philippines for fully vaccinated travelers and provided they meet following requirements to travel to Philippines. Travelers only need to show proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 e.g., WHO International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, VaxCertPH, National or State digital certificate of the country/foreign government, which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement, or other proof of vaccination permitted by the IATF.9/ END
NOTES:
1/ Impact of COVID-19 on the Philippine Tourism industry, July 2020, PwC. https://www.pwc.com/ph/en/publications/pwc-publications/tourism-covid19.html#:~:text=In%20the%20first%20quarter%20of,bn%20in%20global%20tourism%20receipts.
2/ Babii, A. and Nadeem, S., Tourism in a Post-Pandemic World, International Monetary Fund (IMF), February 26, 2021. https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2021/02/24/na022521-how-to-save-travel-and-tourism-in-a-post-pandemic-world
3/ Mallapaty S. What the cruise-ship outbreaks reveal about COVID-19. Nature 2020; 580(7801): 18. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00885-w
4/ Huld, A., China Travel Restrictions 2021/2022: An Explainer (Updated), China Briefing, December 16, 2022. https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-travel-restrictions-2021-2022-an-explainer-updated/
5/ Latest Country Restrictions. https://travelbans.org/
6/ DHS Statement on the Lifting of Title 19 Requirements. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2023/05/01/dhs-statement-lifting-title19requirements#:~:text=Beginning%20May%2012%2C%202023%2C%20DHS,proof%20of%20vaccination%20upon%20request.
7/ COVID-19: Travel ban for many countries lifted, Berry, Appleman & Leiden LLP, February 21, 2023. https://www.bal.com/bal-news/philippines-covid-19-travel-ban-for-many-countries-lifted/
8/ Revised Guidelines as per IATF-MEID Resolution No. 97 Series of 2021, Bureau of Immigration ADVISORY. https://www.facebook.com/officialbureauofimmigration/photos/pcb.1933882583417106/193388250341114/?type=3&theater
9/ What are the travel requirements to the Philippines? LUMA. https://www.lumahealth.com/travelrequirements-to-the-philippines/#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20more%20quarantine,full%20 vaccination%20against%20Covid-19.
