Covid-19 and Tourism: UNWTO Director Alessandra Priante on the Crisis
Alessandra Priante, the UNWTO's Director for Europe, addresses the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic on global tourism. The UNWTO, established in the late 1970s and comprising 159 member states, including Italy, appointed Priante in the fall of 2019 to supervise 42 European nations. Italy's Paolo Gentiloni has mentioned tourism in discussions with the European Commission's coronavirus response team. The UNWTO has stressed the importance of 'people first' and urged 'no panic' while collaborating with the WHO. Priante highlights cancellations for Easter in Italy and cautions that travelers may opt for Greece, Spain, or Croatia. Unlike the 2003 SARS outbreak, Covid-19 has had a profound economic effect on Europe due to flight cancellations and event disruptions. She promotes sustainable tourism practices.
Key facts
- Alessandra Priante is Director for Europe at UNWTO, appointed autumn 2019.
- UNWTO has 159 member states and over 500 affiliates.
- Italy is a founding member of UNWTO along with Spain, Germany, France, China, and Japan.
- European Commission created a coronavirus response team including Paolo Gentiloni.
- UNWTO reacted immediately to the outbreak in China with 'people first' and 'no panic'.
- Easter cancellations in Italy are already a reality.
- Long-distance travelers may redirect summer holidays to Greece, Spain, or Croatia.
- Unlike SARS in 2003, Covid-19 has hit Europe's core, with Lombardy and Veneto affected.
- American Airlines and Delta suspended flights to Milan; ITB Berlin cancelled; Salone del Mobile postponed.
- Priante advocates for sustainable tourism aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Entities
Artists
- Alessandra Priante
- Zurab Pololikashvili
- Paolo Gentiloni
- Sergio Mattarella
- Federica Lonati
Institutions
- UNWTO
- United Nations World Tourism Organization
- OMT
- Organizzazione mondiale del turismo
- European Commission
- WHO
- Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità
- American Airlines
- Delta
- ITB Berlin
- Salone del Mobile
- Berlin International Film Festival
- Artribune
- Ministero dei Beni e Attività Culturali e Turismo
Locations
- Madrid
- Spain
- Italy
- Germany
- France
- China
- Japan
- Europe
- United States
- Lombardy
- Veneto
- Greece
- Croatia
- Mediterranean
- Far East
- Asia
- Korea
- Turkey
- Milan
- Berlin