Cautiously but eagerly, tourism in the world and also in Cuba begins to take off as the pandemic recedes and although Ómicron shows its threatening presence.
It happens that in addition to the palliative that it means for people, overwhelmed and battered after almost two years of confinement and other restrictions, experts consider that the travel industry is today a significant element in the recovery of economies.
At least, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), belonging to the United Nations system, is of that opinion and estimates that the improvement in this important sector is supported by the reopening of numerous destinations in international itineraries, mainly in Europe and also In the americas.
Photo: EFE
This comes hand in hand with progress in the application of anticovid vaccines, the relaxation of restrictions in general and, therefore, also due to an increase in the confidence of tourists when deciding to expand their mobility.
It has been so much so, that the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer found Before the end of this disastrous year, during the summer season in the northern hemisphere, there were some signs of recovery, boosting the results of the third quarter of the year, especially in Europe.
In August and September, tourist arrivals stood at -63% compared to 2019 and still were the best monthly results since the start of the pandemic.
However, outbreaks of infections and deaths, which even speak of a new wave, once again placed black clouds on the international tourism scene, which were further darkened by the arrival of Ómicron, the new variant of Sars-Cov-2 .
Photo: taken from PL
Therefore, and for other reasons, it is worth remembering that returning to the levels of tourism prior to 2019 is not around the corner and that, even today, the takeoff has been uneven as are the immunization levels in the different geographies as well as biosanitary norms and regulations.
How was in this 2021
Despite the disparate hints of resuscitation, this year that is already ending was very difficult for tourism in the world, registering a decrease of 80% between last January and July compared to the same period of 2019.
The disparity in the results, as a trend and without much precision, corresponds to the way in which the pandemic behaved and then the immunization processes. As a result, the Asia-Pacific region accumulated the worst results in the first half of the year, with a 95 percent drop in international arrivals compared to 2019.
The Middle East region was hot on its heels by registering the second largest decline, of -82%, followed by Europe and Africa, in both cases with -77%.
In the American continent, tourism showed a somewhat lower decline, of -68%, with the Caribbean standing out, with the best results as a subregion.
Tourism to destinations in the Mexican Caribbean does not stop, as this beach in Quintana Roo shows. Photo: taken from eleconomista.com.mx
Particularly some islands in this Caribbean area, and also others in Asia-Pacific and Africa, along with few and small European destinations, accumulated the best results in the summer -June and July-, which even approached and even exceeded previous figures than the pandemic.
The third quarter looked even better, although with uneven results and arrivals still lower by 76% than those registered in the prepandemic.
Hence the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili, will sentence: “These are reasons not to lower our guard and continue our efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccination throughout the world, as well as to have coordinated travel procedures, and to make use of digital vaccination certificates to facilitate mobility and continue to support the sector.”
What will it be like in 2022
Understood, they assure that a year of takeoff in the world can be, the same for national and international tourism considering that there may be fewer mobility restrictions and also an advance in vaccination.
The coming post-pandemic tourism will have protagonists with a greater perception of risk and, therefore, watchmen that there are guarantees of sanitary security in hotels and means of transport.
Photo: Jhon Paz / Xinhua
But with this novelty, another customer profile is also less careful and demanding of compliance with measures, with a more open and flexible behavior that aims to make a clean slate of the bitter restrictions experienced.
Considering both positions and, firstly, the also uneven and fluctuating epidemiological situation in the world, tourism trends for next year are marked by unique challenges seeking to adapt to new conditions.
In this way, new alternatives for tourists will emerge, to the point that working from hotels will be one of these novelties that is already emerging. This is the result of the fact that these years demonstrated the effectiveness of teleworking and remote work, hence the hotel sector has already had rooms equipped for work activities, laptops through, facilitators, even videoconferences and other alternatives.
Photo: taken from rtve.es
On the other hand, from the present and in the future, nature tourism is gaining prominence, precisely because open spaces are the antagonists of so much previous confinement.
The Secretary General of the UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili, had assured in the recent 24th meeting of the General Assembly of that organization , held in Madrid from November 24 to December 3: “Guided by UNWTO, world tourism faces the challenges of today, while looking to the opportunities of tomorrow. The UNWTO General Assembly shows the determination of the sector to restart, lead the recovery and be a central pillar of sustainable development and climate action. “
Cuba participated in the UNWTO National Assembly. Photo: @MinturCuba.
Precisely starting from that last statement, together with the classic family tourism, business and events tourism, medical tourism and the aforementioned nature tourism, sustainable tourism is also making its way and is here to stay.
Hence, in line with international calls and exhortations, this way of understanding life finds resonance in tourism activity and its protagonists increasingly assume the importance of protecting recreational sites, of respecting the environment and its heritage.
This welcome trend is positioned to such an extent that there are already tourists who take into account when choosing destinations that are friendly to the ecosystem. This is also a way of making tourism itself sustainable.
The existence of an International Code for the Protection of Tourists, approved by the 24 UNWTO General Assembly, is another of the novelties that will serve as a compass for the travel industry in the new year.
Prepared with the collaboration of 98 Member States and Associate Members, as well as 5 international organizations of non-member States and other actors, it will be presented to the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 in order to convert it into a Resolution.
It is a legal framework that offers security and guarantees to tourists to overcome situations experienced in recent years of pandemic and even in possible future crises, and is based on four pillars: prevention, information, assistance and repair.
Photo: taken from aginformacion.tv
For her part, Alicia Gómez, legal advisor of the organization, assured that said code will allow “to implement specific regulations in each country, with a voluntary and free adherence,” said Alicia Gómez, legal advisor of the UNWTO, who qualified this new instrument as “key to the recovery of the tourism sector”.
Cuba, safe destination
On November 15 Cuba opened its borders to international tourism and “The last 15 days of opening made November the best month of the year” for tourism in Cuba. This is how the minister of the branch pointed out, Juan Carlos García Granda, who also specified that for the next season, this Greater Antilles expects a recovery of that industry, based on the gradual growth of the entry of visitors.
Photo: Osvaldo Gutiérrez / ACN
Undoubtedly, this 2021 says goodbye crestfallen in terms of tourism figures in Cuba: we received just over 100,000 travelers and of them, about 50,000 in November.
But what is coming seems to be promising since by 2022 it is expected to receive at least 2.3 million tourists, according to the same Garcia Granda announced. during the III Gaviota 2021 Destinations Exchange.
This forecast is backed by a wide air operation, by the commitment and professionalism of the partners inside and outside the Island, as well as by the support of the economic and government sectors.
Photo: taken from Cadenagramonte.cu
The improvement in the implementation of sanitary protocols in all tourist facilities and spaces, more than 2,000 certified with the condition “More hygienic and safe tourism”, and the guarantee that workers in the sector They are immunized against COVID-19 and are already receiving booster doses.
Likewise, among the strengths of Cuban tourism are the links with institutions that are so many in favor of Cuba as a cultural destination, and we also consolidate our commitment to sustainable and accessible tourism.
More than 230 exchanges and congresses will take place in Cuban hotel entities during the next two years. Photo: Omara García Mederos / ACN
The latter is accounted for by the IV Ibero-American Summit on Accessible Tourism, which was held at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba in mid-December and, in this context, the Meeting of ministers and representatives of the national accessible tourism networks of Ibero-American countries, of the that emanated the Declaration of Havana for an Accessible and Inclusive Tourism in Latin America, which had the contribution of international organizations.
Today Cuba has, adding to the list of strengths, with more than four thousand new rooms for tourism, and for the arrival of travelers with practically all its airports, three cruise terminals and 10 marinas.
The Paradisus Varadero Resort & Spa and SO / Paseo del Prado La Habana hotels were recognized with the World MICE Awards 2021, as “Best Hotel in Cuba” and “Best New Hotel in the Caribbean”, respectively.
Among the novelties, the Island will have – once they are included in the international lists – immunization programs for travelers with Cuban vaccines and work is being done on well-being and quality of life offers together with Medical Services, for those tourists who wish to receive care in the country.
Other options announced by the owner of the Mintur are the possibility of excursions throughout the national territory, diving activities, nature and nautical tourism, as well as technological facilities for travelers that include payment through QR codes, prepaid cards in freely convertible currencies for use within this country, and an online application for pre-registration in accommodation as well as the hotel Portal, with the promotions and services available.
The first private megayacht that entered the port of Casilda after the reopening of borders on November 15. Photo: Juan Carlos Naranjo / Facebook
Destination Cuba is and will be a safe, responsible destination, increasingly accessible, friendly to the environment, health, nature and also a destination of peace, despite the onslaught of the empire also against this sector because it knows that it is , precisely, of our most important activities.
Photo: Yander Zamora / EFE
In a year and a half, the Island stopped earning 3 billion dollars for this activity, but possible good news is looming for the sector and, thanks to its contributions, also for Cuba.
This was stated by President Díaz-Canel in a special appearance regarding the entry of the Island to a new normal: “I always say that tourism is the economic activity that“ the accountant rings ”every day in the country, and when we have income from tourism the country has more air and more oxygen to advance the economy…. ”
