Italy, G20 Look To Return Of Tourism
Umer Jamshaid Published May 04, 2021 | 10:50 PM
Italy is ready to welcome back travellers, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Tuesday after hosting a G20 meeting that put tourism at the heart of the global post-pandemic recovery
Rome, May 4 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th May, 2021 ) :Italy is ready to welcome back travellers, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Tuesday after hosting a G20 meeting that put tourism at the heart of the global post-pandemic recovery.
"It's time for you to book your holidays in Italy!" Draghi told reporters, promising to provide "clear and simple rules" to ensure visitors could travel around safely.
"The world longs to travel here. The pandemic has forced us to close down temporarily. But Italy is ready to welcome back the world." Italy has suffered badly from the pandemic, both in terms of the death toll -- the highest in the EU at more than 120,000 -- and the recession sparked by coronavirus restrictions.
Home to Venice and Florence, Portofino and Capri, Italy had been the world's fifth-most visited destination, but visitor numbers collapsed by more than 60 percent from 2019 to 2020.
Draghi noted the European Union is hoping to have its "green" pass up and running from the second half of June, which would allow easier entry for tourists who have been vaccinated, tested negative or can show immunity.
First, he said, in mid-May, Italy hopes to make operational its own national green pass, allowing travel within the country.
But it was not clear whether this would allow international visitors to enter Italy more easily. Arrivals from most countries are currently restricted.
Under rules in place until May 15, for example, tourists from the rest of Europe must self-isolate for five days upon arrival in Italy.
Draghi was speaking after an Italy-hosted virtual meeting of tourism ministers from the Group of 20 most powerful nations.
In a joint statement, they noted tourism was still one of the sectors hardest hit by Covid-19, after countries around the world grounded flights and told citizens to stay at home.
"With nearly 62 million travel and tourism jobs lost globally, representing a drop of 18.5 percent, the outlook remains highly uncertain," they said.
The statement added: "We emphasize that the resumption of travel and tourism is crucial for global economic recovery because of the direct and indirect economic impact this sector has on others."But they said the crisis was also an "opportunity to rethink tourism for the future", with Draghi noting the importance of protecting the environment and local communities.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Housing Ministry prioritizes transparency in providing accommodation to federal ..
NGO donates wheelchairs to enhance accessibility & mobility for patients
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launches expanded health service progr ..
Minister highlights major health projects launched by CM Maryam
Mongolian envoy for boosting bilateral economic ties
GKMC achieves hundred percent results in MBBS examination
Secretary Human Rights Dept calls for setting up district level offices
Vaccination play effective role to prevent the spread of typhoid: Rashid Khan
Drive lunched to educate on proper household waste disposal
PFA destroys 300kg of dead chicken
Sindh Govt committed to clean the environment of Karachi: Mayor Karachi
Langov annoyed over law and order in Balochsitan
More Stories From World
-
Panama president-elect pledges to deport migrants who cross Darien Gap
1 hour ago -
Top opponent of India PM Modi leaves prison on bail
2 hours ago -
ICUBE-Q's initial images from space a historic day: Ambassador Hashmi
3 hours ago -
Third week of evidence wraps at Trump's criminal trial
3 hours ago -
Madinah : 3,485 Pakistani Hujjaj arrive in seamless flight operation
3 hours ago -
UN, EU officials condemn 'escalation' of violence against UNRWA
3 hours ago
-
Russia attacks Ukraine's northeast in new ground offensive
4 hours ago -
Reasons to experience magic of Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival this weekend
4 hours ago -
Paris officer 'between life and death' after police station shooting
4 hours ago -
Rafah offensive would lead to 'humanitarian disaster': UN chief
5 hours ago -
Taylor Swift fever grips Paris at start of Europe tour
5 hours ago -
S.Africa's top court hears critical Zuma election case
5 hours ago