The study from Oxford Economics on the impacts Covid-19 will have on European tourism, to which the Lusa press agency had access, points to less 7 million international entries in Portugal this year when compared to last year. Tourism represents 16.5% of Portugal’s GDP, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, similar to Spain.
This drop is only surpassed by Italy with 49% and Spain with 42%, two of the countries most affected by the pandemic in Europe.
France will also have an expected 40% drop in terms of international tourists, representing 38 million visitors less than last year, the largest volume in Europe. The country is also responsible for around 13% of all international arrivals in Europe.
In total, Southern Europe should register a 40% drop in tourism in 2020, after a 5% increase in 2019.
2019 levels only after 2023
The study highlights that these numbers depend on the duration of the travel restrictions, which «is still quite uncertain», so that the numbers may still vary considerably, improving or worsening, if the restrictions remain in place.
And he further noted that «despite the expected fast recovery for 2021, it is not expected for the numbers reached in 2019 in terms of international travel to be reached before 2023, since the prolonged effects on revenues will impact» tourism, quoted Negócios.