June 4 - The World Travel & Tourism Council’s annual Economic Impact Report (EIR) reveals that the dramatic collapse of Canada’s Travel & Tourism sector wiped out a staggering $59.2 billion from the nation’s economy last year.

 

The annual EIR from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, shows the sector’s impact on GDP dropped 53%.

 

Following two consecutive years in which the Travel & Tourism sector’s growth equalled or outpaced that of the overall economy, its contribution to the nation’s GDP fell from $111.6 billion (6.4%) in 2019, to $52.4 billion (3.2%), just 12 months later, in 2020.

 

The year of damaging travel restrictions which brought much of international travel to a grinding halt, resulted in the devastating loss of 373,000 Travel & Tourism jobs across the country.

 

However, WTTC believes the true picture could have been significantly worse, if not for the government’s job retention scheme which offered a lifeline to thousands of businesses and workers. However, without a swift return of international travel, many more jobs are still at risk.

 

These job losses were felt across the entire Travel & Tourism ecosystem in the country, with SMEs, which make up eight out of 10 of all global businesses in the sector, particularly affected.

 

Furthermore, as one of the world’s most diverse sectors, the impact on women, youth and minorities was significant.

 

The number of those employed in the Canadian Travel & Tourism sector fell from nearly 1.8 million in 2019, to just over 1.4 million in 2020 - a drop of 20.9%.

 

The report also revealed domestic visitor spending declined by 51%, while international spending fared even worse, due to more stringent travel restrictions, causing a fall of 71.1%.

 

WTTC says the key to unlocking safe international travel can be achieved through a clear and science-based framework to reopen international travel.

 

All non-vaccinated travellers should face a comprehensive testing regime before departure, as well as enhanced health and hygiene protocols, including mandatory mask wearing.

 

These measures would be the foundation to build the recovery of the many millions of jobs lost due to the pandemic.

 

It would also reduce the terrible social implications these losses have had on communities dedicated to Travel & Tourism and upon ordinary people who have been isolated by COVID-19 restrictions.

 

 

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