Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-One of the most dangerous respiratory virus in the world’s history which can convert any innocent human being into a biological weapon.
Coronavirus originated in China in late 2019 as a cluster of mysterious cases of pneumonia then spread throughout the world making 32,56,846 people sick, and 2,33,388 people dead where the U.S. accounts for 33.6% of the total global cases with 10,95,645 reported sick and 63,746 reported dead so far as on 1 May 2020.
It originated in China but four countries —the U.S., Italy, Spain, and Germany have more cases reported than China.
The USA is a highly developed country, having only4% of the population of the whole world still holds 29.4% of the total wealth in the world. It ranked 30 in the world’s medical care facilities. It is a global leader in medical innovation. The U.S. health-care system far outspends than any other nation despite all this knelt in front of this Pandemic.
There is no Sector of Nation which is left untarnished–GDP is falling, Economy is scattered, Scarcity of new Jobs, Business undergoing losses, No export/import, and one of the most affected sectors are Travel and Tourism.
This is one of the worst crises ever to hit the tourist industry impacting all its geographical segments -inbound, outbound, and domestic, almost all tourism verticals -leisure, adventure, heritage, MICE, cruise, corporate, and niche segments.
The whole tourism value chain across hotels, travel agents, tour operations, destinations, restaurants, family entertainment venues, and air, land, and sea transportation has been hit.
ROOT CAUSE OF EXPONENTIAL DOWNFALL IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY:
CONTAGION: As per WHO, COVID-19 is a contagious disease but it’s unclear exactly how much contagious the new coronavirus is and that is the main reason why it’s menacing. Data has shown that it spreads from person to person among those in close contact (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters), by respiratory droplets released when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes, or even talk. So, to enmesh with this virus you just need to breathe, standing close to the infected person.
It can also spread if a person touches a surface with the virus on it and then touches his or her mouth, nose, or eyes. It can remain viable on surfaces for hours to days and may be able to enter the lungs directly when inhaled. Airborne droplets are likely to be the main infection route, but contaminated surfaces could play a role too. Health advice typically says the virus can persist for about 2 hours on surfaces, says William Keevil at the University of Southampton, UK. But a study published last week suggests that this is a serious underestimate, with viable virus surviving on cardboard for 14hours and plastic and stainless steel for up to three days (New England Journal of Medicine,doi.org/ggn88w). It can also hang around in the air for at least 3 hours.
That is why the World Health Organization has declared this virus a Pandemic
Maintaining social distance or Complete Lockdown is the only way to escape the clench of the coronavirus for any Nation and that is why people are avoiding traveling and Tourism Industry is falling.
IMPACT OF CORONA VIRUS ON USA TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY
Global Health AdvisoryLevel 4–Do Not Travel(by united States govt.)
The COVID19pandemic deals a crippling blow to the travel and tourism industry..”As the news of the virus started picking up from November, the percentage of cancellations started going up in this segment exponentially and is reaching a peak. America’s travel industry is among the hardest hit, with the government suspending all visas, with the economic impact being assessed to run into millions of dollars.
Not only the International Travellers but alsotheIntracountry travelers are canceling their Hotel, Flight, Bus, Cab, Train bookings because of complete lockdown. Even the most crowded places in the world like new York, Chicago, Los Angeles, LasVegas, Boston, San Francisco, Miami deserted now.
On March 19, the State Department issued a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory, recommending that United States citizens avoid any global travel as many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from the entry with little advance notice. Airlines have canceled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or canceled trips.
According to UNWTO, World Tourism Organisation-A United Nations Specialized Agencyalso clarified that tourism is currently one of the most affected sectors.
- As of today, UNWTO estimates that in 2020 global international tourist arrivals could decline between 20-30%, down from an estimated growth of 3% to 4% forecast in early January 2020.
- This could translate into a loss of US$ 30 to 50 billion in spending by international visitors (international tourism receipts).
The impact on travel is six or seven times greater than the 9/11 attacks,” says Roger Dow, president, and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, which encourages travel to and within the country and represents an industry that generates $2.6 trillion in economic output and supports 15.8 million jobs in the U.S.
As perMs.Virginia Messina Managing DirectorofWorld Travel and Tourism Council-Around 850,000 people travel each month Europe to the United States, equivalent to a $3.4 billion monthly contribution to the U.S. economy and if this would not halt ASAP approx five million people would lose their jobs in America she projected.
SO LET’S STAY POSITIVE AND HOPE FOR THIS CATASTROPHE TO CULMINATE ASAP.
TRAVELLING TIP-IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
- Follow The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP). service of the Bureau of Consular Affairs U.S. Department of State is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and National traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest Embassy or Consulate. (https://step.state.gov/step/)
- Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative