An international social media campaign aimed at trying to “keep the spark alive” within the travel community launched Monday. While travel is on indefinite hold as the world works to try to contain the pandemic, the World Travel and Tourism Council is inviting people to share their travel memories under the hashtag #TogetherInTravel to fill social media with stories, images and videos and help galvanize the global travel community.

“Dreaming is part of our zest for life and our new campaign encourages thoughts of the brighter days ahead. Travel & Tourism is a critical sector to the global economy, accounting for one in four of all new jobs worldwide and contributing 10.3 percent to GDP,” said WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara in a statement.

“Our sector touches everyone. It builds communities, reduces poverty in the world and improves the social impact of everyday lives. Yet we are uniquely exposed at this time due to Covid-19. 

The WTTC has also launched a dedicated microsite Togetherintravel.com where user-generated content, photos and stories will be collected.

COVID-19 impact on tourism #TogetherInTravel

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the tourism industry worldwide, with travel restrictions, lockdowns, and border closures leading to a sharp decline in travel and tourism activities. The impact has been felt across the entire industry, including airlines, hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions.

In terms of predictions, it is expected that the industry will slowly recover as vaccination rates increase and travel restrictions ease. However, recovery may be uneven across different regions and segments of the industry. Domestic and regional travel is expected to recover faster than international travel, and outdoor and nature-based tourism may be more popular than crowded indoor activities. The use of technology, such as virtual tours and contactless payment systems, is also likely to become more prevalent.

Overall, it may take several years for the industry to fully recover from the impact of COVID-19, and there may be lasting changes in the way people travel and experience tourism.

#TogetherInTravel let’s show our love for the industry and keep wanderlust alive