The future of tourism in the coronavirus era: Asia may hold answers to what's ahead
It's a sunny day on Bangkok's most famous tourist street, and shopkeeper Cletana Thangworachai is open for business.Her Khao San Road shop is crowded with shiny magnets, brightly colored elephant key rings and the patterned cotton pants that have become an unofficial uniform for backpackers in Southeast Asia.But for now, there's no one to buy them.The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on travel, with the UN World Tourism...
It's a sunny day on Bangkok's most famous tourist street, and shopkeeper Cletana Thangworachai is open for business.Her Khao San Road shop is crowded with shiny magnets, brightly colored elephant key rings and the patterned cotton pants that have become an unofficial uniform for backpackers in Southeast Asia.But for now, there's no one to buy them.The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on travel, with the UN World Tourism Organization estimating that international tourism could decline by up to 80% this year over 2019, putting at least 100 million jobs at risk.In Thailand, where tourism makes up 18% of the country's GDP, the Tourism Authority expects visitor numbers could be down 65% this year.