The coronavirus pandemic could cut to 50 million jobs worldwide the travel and tourism industry. This is according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The tourism industry could shrink up to 25 per cent. Many people are staying home and not travelling. Many people cannot travel as more and more countries are taking action to fight COVID-19. This action includes closing borders, requiring people self-quarantine 14 days after arriving a country, and banning flights other countries. The head the WTTC said the pandemic, "clearly presents a significant threat to the industry as a whole, to those employed it, and those wishing to continue traveling".
The tourism industry makes 10 per cent the world's GDP and jobs. It is one of the industries hardest hit the COVID-19 virus. Airlines, cruise ships and hotels have suffered big losses. Korean Air has warned that the coronavirus could threaten its survival. Australia's Qantas has reduced its international flights nearly 25 per cent because the outbreak. World-famous sites are deserted. This could cause restaurants and cafes to go of business as tourists stay away crowded places. Tourism is a key industry Hawaii. Experts there predict that over half Hawaii's hotel rooms will be empty the next few months. The WTTC said that tourism would take 10 months to recover the virus.
