Spain's tourism GDP could approach pre-pandemic levels this year, according to WTTC
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that the tourism sector's contribution to Spain's GDP could reach 152,000, 14.4% below pre-pandemic levels. If travel restrictions continue to be lifted, it could exceed pre-pandemic levels in terms of employment generation, reaching three million.
In 2019, the travel and tourism sector in Spain will contribute more than 177 billion euros to GDP, accounting for 14.1% of the country s economy. However, in 2020, when the pandemic severely impacted its activity, its contribution falls by 62.7%, to ?66 billion.
The WTTC study indicates that, as the Spanish economy begins to recover from the catastrophic effects of Covid-19, the sector's contribution to GDP and employment levels this year could reach pre-pandemic levels with the right measures to accelerate the rebound.
With the prioritization of vaccination schedules and booster doses during 2022, and the reduction of travel restrictions, the sector's contribution to national GDP could reach 152.152 billion this year, 14.4% below pre-pandemic levels.
The latest WTTC data also show a very positive recovery of employment in the sector, with a 7.1% growth compared to pre-pandemic levels, reaching more than three million jobs, with 200,000 new jobs in the sector.000 new jobs to the sector.
According to Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the WTTC, “in recent years, the Spanish travel and tourism sector has been severely affected by ongoing mobility restrictions. However, our latest data shows that 2022 could be the year of tourism recovery, led by strong demand and high vaccination rates.
Also, Simpson said, "Millions of jobs depend on the reactivation of this sector, which is crucial to the Spanish economy, but there is still much to be done if we are to achieve continued economic growth and recover all the jobs lost.
On the other hand, WTTC has applauded the recent change announced by the Ministry of Tourism in which the mobility restrictions that Spain maintains with countries outside the EU are relaxed, mainly affecting the United Kingdom, the main outbound market.
PROSPECTIVE FOR EUROPE
The WTTC estimates that Europe could also see positive growth in the travel and tourism sector's contribution to regional GDP.
According to the data, the sector's contribution to European GDP in 2022 could reach nearly ?1.7 trillion, with employment reaching more than 38 million jobs, just 0.4% below 2019 levels.
To accelerate the recovery, WTTC reiterates the importance of European and global governments continuing to focus on vaccination guidelines and booster doses, allowing fully vaccinated travelers to move freely without the need for testing.
The world tourism body also urges governments to get rid of the patchwork of restrictions and enable international travel, using digital solutions that allow tourists to travel quickly, simply and securely.