"Zero Sales for 10 Months"... Growing Survival Pleas from the Travel Industry

Statement on Quarantine Relaxation on the 14th, Prompt Implementation of Travel Bubble, and Operational Expense Support

The Korea Association of Travel Agents is issuing a statement containing members' demands, such as easing self-quarantine measures. [Photo by Korea Association of Travel Agents website]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The travel industry, pushed to the brink of collapse due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, is urging the government to promptly establish measures to support operational expenses and ease self-quarantine rules to ensure the industry's survival.

The Korea Association of Travel Agents recently issued a statement at its regular general meeting, reflecting members' demands to create at least a minimal survival environment. The three key requests are: ▲ easing the 14-day quarantine, which is effectively a business suspension for the travel industry, along with compensation for related losses ▲ swift implementation of 'travel bubbles' with countries or regions that have excellent quarantine systems ▲ and minimal operational expense support.

On the 20th of last month, the Travel Association also appealed to the government to devise measures to ease the 14-day self-quarantine for overseas arrivals and to consider 'travel bubbles' that would shorten or exempt quarantine for travelers through mutual agreements with countries that have well-established quarantine systems.

This statement has become even more urgent. The Travel Association emphasized, "Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have been in a de facto business suspension state, facing the grim reality of 'zero sales for 10 consecutive months.' We are fighting daily for survival, trying every possible method such as paid and unpaid leave to prevent mass layoffs."

They added, "Because this is an unprecedented infectious disease situation affecting all citizens, our industry has actively cooperated with the government's quarantine guidelines prioritizing 'public safety' and endured these harsh times. However, now that COVID-19 has become a long-term, everyday reality, merely waiting for its end is beyond our lifespan."

In fact, the global tourism industry is expected to face a prolonged slump due to COVID-19. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates that it will take between 2.5 to 4 years to recover to the 2019 international tourist numbers (1.458 billion) before the pandemic. This year, international tourist numbers are expected to decrease by 850 million to 1.1 billion compared to the previous year, with losses estimated between $910 billion and $1.2 trillion. There are also concerns that 100 million to 120 million jobs related to the global tourism industry are at risk.

In the domestic travel industry, anxiety has already become a reality. The Travel Association stated, "We strongly urge the government through this statement to create at least a minimal survival environment, reflecting the desperate cries of approximately 100,000 workers who lost their livelihoods overnight."