What
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) released a new body of research that analyzed the impact of 90 crises between 2001 and 2018. The crises analyzed were related to terrorism and security, diseases and outbreaks, political instability and natural disasters.
Why It Matters
These days, it feels like there’s always a crisis to react to, causing travel advisors to pacify client concerns or change travel plans. Fortunately, new research shows that the industry is better at recovering from crises, with average recovery times decreasing from 26 months in 2001 to 10 months in 2018.
Fast Facts
- The report finds that the travel and tourism sector is more resilient than ever; average recovery times have decreased from 26 months in 2001 to 10 months in 2018.
- When it comes to recovery time, terrorist or security related incidents have the shortest average recovery time of 11.5 months, while political instability is the most challenging with recovery averaging at 22.2 months.
- The average recovery times for natural disasters and disease outbreaks were 16.2 months and 19.4 months respectively (minimum 1 and 10 months respectively).
- Public private partnerships and effective, transparent communications are critical for preparedness and prevention.
What They Are Saying
“This comprehensive research shows just how resilient the travel and tourism sector truly is,” said Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of the WTTC. “While there is still work to be done, the data shows that recovery times have fallen significantly over the past two decades, and that major strides have been made. It is crucial that we continue to learn from previous incidents and continue to come together through public private partnerships to make a real difference in reducing both the economic and human impact.”
The Details
World Travel & Tourism Council
www.wttc.org
