WTTC: Governments Should Focus on High-Risk Travelers

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is calling for governments to abandon the concept of ‘high-risk countries’ and instead focus on how individual ‘high-risk travellers’ are treated at borders. 

WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, is urging governments around the world to shift their focus from whole countries, towards individual travellers. 

Instead, WTTC says governments around the world should redefine their whole approach to risk assessment, to revive international business and leisure travel. 

Combined with a common international consensus on the metrics used to assess risk and a laser-like focus on a cost-effective, comprehensive, and rapid departure and arrival testing scheme for all travellers, could pave the way forward for the meaningful return of travel.

It would also ensure only those affected are forced to isolate, while travellers who test negative can continue to enjoy safe travels through observing hygiene protocols and mask wearing.

“We have to recognise this reality and redefine the risk to focus on ‘high-risk’ individuals. We firmly believe implementing a comprehensive testing regime and the use of technology is the only practical way to restore international travel securely. Furthermore, a comprehensive testing programme will be less expensive than the economic cost brought on by blanket quarantines and lockdowns,” said Gloria Guevara, WTTC President and CEO.

“This refocus would avoid exporting the virus and enable the free movement of travellers, while still observing enhanced hygiene protocols such as mask wearing and social distancing,” she went on to say.

According to WTTC’s 2019 Economic Impact Report, Travel & Tourism contributed US$8.9 trillion, or 10.3% towards the world’s GDP. It accounted for one in 10 global jobs, giving employment to 330 million people through the Travel & Tourism sector.