According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 100 percent of the world’s global destinations are now under travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19.

“This represents the most severe restriction on international traveI in history and no country has so far lifted restrictions introduced in response to the crisis,” reads a statement from the UNWTO.

In the previous update released last week, not all of Europe or the Americas had implemented traveI restrictions.

As of Wednesday, the UNWTO report notes that 83 percent of the 217 UN-recognized countries and territories have had travel restrictions in place for four or more weeks.

Nearly half (45 percent) of the planet is likewise totally or partially closed to tourists.

TraveI restrictions include complete or partial closure of borders; destination-specific travel restrictions barring passengers who have visited or transited through heavily-infected areas; total or partial suspension of flights; and other measures such as quarantine, self-isolation, medical certificates or the suspension of visa issuances.

“This research on global travel restrictions will help support the timely and responsible implementation of exit strategies, allowing destinations to ease or lift travel restrictions when it is safe to do so,” said UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili in a statement. “This way, the social and economic benefits that tourism offers can return, providing a path to sustainable recovery for both individuals and whole countries.” 

Domestic tourism

While international travel has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic travel can provide a source of revenue for tourism businesses within a country. Domestic tourism can also help to promote local economic development and support local businesses, which can be particularly important during a time of economic crisis. However, the extent to which domestic tourism can offset the impact of traveI restrictions will depend on various factors such as the size of the domestic market and the willingness of people to travel domestically during the pandemic.