Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has called on governments and organizations to take urgent measures to promote employment and support the economy through the tourism and travel sector, which can help mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and accelerate recovery. The recommendations approved by the Global Crisis Committee on Tourism are designed specifically for these purposes.

This was stated in a letter of the UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Development Aziz Abdukhakimov.

“The world is experiencing an unprecedented global health emergency that entails unparalleled consequences for society and human well-being. The tourism and travel sector is one of the sectors that have been particularly affected by the crisis, and it needs urgent help to save millions of jobs at risk,” the statement says.

Pololikashvili also noted that a global recession is expected in the socio-economic sphere, which will lead to the loss of millions of jobs and will be a serious blow to vulnerable segments of the population, especially women, youth and the rural population.

“The World Tourism Organization works closely with the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization and the private sector - Affiliate Members of the UNWTO, the International Council of Airports, the International Association of Cruise Lines, the International Air Transport Association and the World Travel and Tourism Council to ensure a coordinated and effective response through the newly created Global Crisis Committee that in the field of tourism.

We encourage governments and multilateral organizations to take urgent measures to promote employment and support the economy through the tourism and travel sector, which can help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and accelerate recovery,” said the UNWTO Secretary-General.

The recommendations made by UNWTO are divided into the following three groups, which should be applied simultaneously and require interaction between all stakeholders involved in the ecosystem:

- Crisis management and mitigation;

- Creating incentives and accelerating recovery;

- Preparing for the future.

“We must ensure that no one is forgotten. And we can only achieve this if we act together now, cooperating in a spirit of solidarity in the name of achieving common goals. I am sure that the attached recommendations will help your public and private sector to effectively solve all those huge problems that the tourism sector is currently facing. We want to guarantee that tourism will continue to be one of the leading driving forces of the economy and development,” Zurab Pololikashvili concluded his appeal.