Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is posing a biggest threat to the mankind worldwide ever. In the absence of any definite antidote and the modest health-care provisions to medicate the virus, NPI (non-pharmaceutical interventions) are the key techniques to control the spread of global health emergency. In an attempt to counteract pandemics, several nations have issued advisories on social distancing, working from home (WFH) and virtual meetings that has severely affected travel and tourism industry around the world. Unparalleled and revolutionary travel bans and the enforcement of strict stayat-home orders all across the world have triggered the acutest economic downturn past World War II with apprehensions of recession looming in many countries. With the movement control order issued by many countries and nation-wide restrictions on large events and mass gatherings like conferences, festivals, concerts, sporting events, weddings, tourism to a great extent came to a standstill by the end of March 2020. Initial estimates on impacts on aviation sector, cruises, and hotel industry have been terribly shocking. While extremely unpredictable, initial forecasts from UNWTO (World Tourism Organization) propose tourist arrivals globally might fall by 60% - 80% in the year 2020 when compared with the figures of 2019. The paper examines the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on global tourism industry due to travel advisories issued by several nations and explores how the pandemic may transform the dynamics of tourism industry.

Keywords: Covid-19, , Coronavirus, Outbreak, Hospitality