Post-pandemic travel: Consider a visit to these tourism-dependent countries
Global tourism has been one of the hardest-hit industries as the coronavirus pandemic drags on. The U.N.'s World Tourism Organization believes that tourist numbers in 2020 will drop a whopping 80%, while the World Travel & Tourism Council reported in June 2020 that nearly 200 million industry jobs could be lost as travel restrictions continue.
As devastating as the pandemic has been on those who love to travel, it's been far worse for countries that depend on a steady stream of visitors to bolster their economies and support local jobs. The Statista chart below shows which countries have been the most vulnerable when it comes to travel and tourism's contribution to GDP.
So with COVD-19 vaccines on the horizon and as we look to (hopefully) resume travel in 2021 and beyond, you should consider visits to the countries below to help them rebuild their tourism infrastructure and bring in badly needed dollars.
[table-of-contents /]
Mexico
While the CDC has currently assigned Mexico a Level 4 "very high" COVID-19 designation and said that "all travel" to the country should be avoided, in normal times, it's a huge tourist destination, especially for Americans. In 2018 alone, Mexico made $22.51 billion in tourism revenue, according to Statista.
Spain
Spain saw a whopping 75% year-over-year drop in tourism in July 2020 because of the pandemic. The country is spending $2.4 million on a new campaign designed to lure tourists back, by showing it's a safe destination with information on safe travel, what to expect on arrival and how to prepare for the trip home. Information on the Travel Safe program is updated daily on the spain.info website.
The website highlights cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Malaga and the Canary Islands. It also puts the spotlight on your choice of travel plans: contemporary architecture, Spain by bike, flamenco dancing and sleeping in unique accommodations.
Related: 5 lesser-known spots for a vacation in Spain
Italy
Italy was among the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. It had one of Europe's strictest lockdowns and was the first country in Europe to do it after experiencing a surge of coronavirus cases and deaths in the spring.
However, the Italian Tourist Board is looking ahead to 2021. It has launched the Travel to Italy, #TravelResponsibly campaign, to protect the right to travel and ensure that people travel responsibly to support tourist businesses and the economy.
In the meantime, Delta Air Lines plans to launch quarantine-free, COVID-19-free travel between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Aeroporti di Roma Fiumicino (FCO) beginning Dec. 19, even though a spike in the country has emptied tourist destinations.
Related: An overview of Italy's best destinations for tourists
China
It's well known that Wuhan, China, was ground zero for the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the government barred most foreign visitors from entering the country in March 2020 over fears the virus could reignite the outbreak there.
Now that COVID-19 outbreaks are largely under control in China, the country has seen air travel increase, driven by a surge in domestic flights, since international trips are still mostly off-limits. China will reclaim its top position as the primary source market for international tourism during 2021, according to a report released by COTRI China Outbound Tourism Research Institute.
Related: American Airlines returns to Shanghai after 10-month coronavirus hiatus
Australia
Australia took a draconian approach to combating the COVID-19 pandemic by banning foreign tourists from entering the country. While the government is opening travel bubbles to allow residents to leave the country beginning in the first quarter in 2021, foreign travelers won't be able to enter Australia again until late 2021.
Related: Qantas has stopped selling most international flights until March 2021
Bottom line
The world's tourism sector could lose at least $1.2 trillion, or 1.5% of the global gross domestic product (GDP) due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). In its most pessimistic scenario with a 12-month break in international tourism, that number could grow to $3.3 trillion or 4.2% of global GDP.
As these and other countries are looking to rebuild their decimated tourism industries in 2021, now may be the time to look ahead and consider spending your dollars in the countries that need them most.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees