The effect of Coronavirus on tourism sector

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Orhan Uludağ, Director of the School of Tourism and Hotel Management, Cyprus International University (CIU) explained that the tourism industry is one of the sectors that was the most affected by the impact on travel supply and demand after the Coronavirus (COVID-19) broke out.

It is too early to estimate the full impact of COVID-19 on international tourism, and he said, “It is inevitable that there will be a serious decrease in tourism revenues this year.”

As of today, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) also envisages that there will probably be a 1% to 3% decrease in the January 2020 growth rate which was estimated as 3% to 4%. “This causes a loss of 30 to 50 billion dollars in internatıonal tourists’ income,” he said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Uludağ explained that in the first place, Asia and the Pacific are predicted to be the regions to be affected the most, but the same effect is felt in all regions due to the coronavirus becoming a pandemic. 

More than 100 coronavirus incidents are not only affecting the tourism sector across the island, "other sectors have also become alarmed," said Uludağ.

He also stated that there are precautions to be taken within the scope of the tourism sector and added: “It is essential that the working personnel receive training on coronavirus.”

The importance of applying the hygiene and sanitation rules offered by the World Health Organization and stated that it is especially necessary to diagnose the placement of thermal cameras in places determined by the authorities was underlined.