WTTC launches Jobs Recovery Plan

The World Travel & Tourism Council plans to ‘kickstart’ the economic global recovery through a major drive to revive international travel with the public and private sector working together.

The WTTC says its Jobs Recovery Plan could save 65 million jobs across all G20 countries, including Spain.

It says it could save 1.93 million travel and tourism jobs in the UK alone, along with 19.9 million, 20.2 million in the Americas and 45.8 million jobs across Asia Pacific.

Last week, G20 Tourism Ministers hosted more than 45 CEOs and Members of WTTC, who at the request of Saudi Arabia, presented their Jobs Recovery Plan to save the sector and 100m jobs globally.

Now the WTTC intends to establish a structure to deliver on these goals, led by a global Steering Committee, comprised of 12 WTTC Member CEOs and other business and institutional leaders to establish an international consensus to take action.

The priorities and recommendations made by the Steering Committee, will be passed onto functional working groups for action and delivery.

These specialised working groups will address how to open up travel by creating crucial ‘air corridors’ and a globally recognised standard for an airport test and trace regime, amongst others.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: "WTTC is uniquely positioned to provide a platform at the highest level where the private and public sector can work together to help revive international business and leisure travel and save 100 million jobs globally and more than 1.9 million in the UK alone.

"It is vital that ‘air corridors’ be restored between the world’s leading financial hubs, such as the hugely important transatlantic route between London and New York.

"Restoring these routes for international business travellers must be coupled with the agreement and adoption of globally recognised standards for a rapid, cost-effective airport test and trace regime.

"Together these will help create a safe and hygienic environment to travel and aid the beleaguered travel and tourism sector which continues its fight for survival.

"This in turn will act as an engine to help kickstart the economic global recovery to benefit the whole travel and tourism sector and millions of jobs throughout the supply chain which are dependent upon international travel.

"The economic fallout from COVID-19 continues to relentlessly burn its way through the travel and tourism sector. However, our plan could save 100 million jobs through strong international cooperation, removing travel barriers and introducing an international testing protocol at airports to minimise the spread of COVID-19."

By Louise Longman, Contributing Editor (UK)