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'Govts are failing to recognise the importance of tourism'

Destinations
Chris Crampton
11 January 2021

The Covid pandemic dominated our lives last year, and although that is likely to continue for at least the first few months of 2021, the hope at least is that we are now in the endgame.

Pata is hopeful of a phased resumption of tourism in the Asia Pacific region this year

While still a difficult time, the rolling out of – now three – vaccination programmes sees a positive shift in the course of the pandemic.

With this hopeful outlook as a foundation for 2021, we are confident about the future – but we know many of our stakeholders in Asia Pacific have a tough journey ahead still.

A handful of countries in the region are in the early stages of reopening their borders for tourism, which is encouraging, including Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Dubai and the Maldives, albeit with varying levels of entry restrictions.