Initiatives driven by necessity during the Covid-19 pandemic could see permanent changes and improvements to a historically popular tourism market. By Stuart Forster
With its concentration of historic cities, cultural heritage and iconic landmarks, Europe attracts international travelers across all demographics. The Covid-19 pandemic caused the global visitor economy to shrink significantly in 2020, but Europe’s transport and hospitality infrastructure remains robust, awaiting the return of international travelers in 2021 and beyond. A sizable and mature marketplace, Europe’s long-
established travel and tourism sector grew by a relatively steady 2.4 percent between 2018 and 2019. According to World Tourism and Travel Council statistics, the industry contributed $2 trillion to Europe’s economy,
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or 9.1 percent of the continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Within the European Union (EU), travel and tourism accounted for 9.5 percent of GDP. The continent’s highly trained hospitality workforce ensures a high satisfaction rate among travelers. The United Kingdom left the EU on January 31, 2020,
following an 11-month transition period. The extent to which Brexit impacts UK and EU passport-holders’ ease of travel between the Schengen Area (26 European countries with a free movement agreement which allows access to anyone legally present in the EU) and the UK or Republic of Ireland will become clearer in 2021.
Above: Statue on the Pont Alexandre III bridge, Paris, France
