How has the tourism industry of the world's 20 largest economies been affected by the pandemic?

The stagnation of the tourism industry has serious consequences for the global economy. Let's examine the impact of the pandemic on the tourism industry of the world's 20 largest economies.

The "level" is assessed based on the proportion of the tourism sector's gross domestic product (GDP) in each country's economy. Which country is most eager for the situation to stabilize so it can reopen to tourists?

Mexico

Tourism accounts for 15.5% of Mexico's GDP. The Central American nation's economy is heavily reliant on tourism. With social distancing measures in place, the country is losing billions of dollars in revenue. Popular beaches like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Tulum have become deserted and desolate due to the lack of tourists.

Spain

The tourism sector accounts for 14.3% of Spain's GDP. If the lockdown continues until September 2021, Spain will lose $68 billion in total revenue.

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This is one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic. Tourism accounts for 13% of Italy's GDP. Popular tourist destinations now resemble deserted towns.

Türkiye

Tourism accounts for 11.3% of Türkiye's GDP. In 2019, the country welcomed approximately 51 million foreign tourists, ranking sixth among the world's most popular destinations.

China

The tourism industry accounts for 11.3% of the GDP of the world's most populous country. According to 2017 statistics, 29 million Chinese people work in tourism-related fields.

Australia

Tourism accounts for 10.8% of Australia's GDP. Popular tourist destinations in the country include: the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Uluru, etc. In 2020, Australia not only faced the Covid-19 pandemic but also had to deal with the aftermath of widespread bushfires.

Saudi Arabia

Tourism accounts for 9.5% of Saudi Arabia's GDP. It is the second most visited tourist destination in the Middle East, with the majority of visitors coming for religious pilgrimages.

Virtue

Tourism accounts for 9.1% of Germany's GDP. With 38 million visitors to Germany in 2018, the country ranks 8th globally in terms of annual visitor numbers.

Older brother

Tourism accounts for 9% of the UK's GDP. The majority of visitors to the UK are American. Before the pandemic, it was estimated that around 4 million US tourists visited the UK each year.

America

The tourism industry accounts for 8.6% of the US GDP. The US earns $1.8 trillion from tourism services. With this enormous amount, the US leads and far surpasses other countries in terms of tourism revenue.

France

Tourism accounts for 8.5% of France's GDP. The tourism sector generates $229 billion for France. While this is far less than the US, it's a very impressive figure when considering per capita income.

Brazil

Tourism accounts for 7.7% of Brazil's GDP. With the pandemic situation in Brazil still extremely complex, the nationwide lockdown is likely to continue.

Switzerland

Tourism accounts for 7.6% of Switzerland's GDP. The country is an ideal destination for those who love mountaineering and skiing. The majority of tourists visiting Switzerland are German.

Japan

Tourism accounts for 7% of the Land of the Rising Sun's GDP. Japan attracted over 30 million international tourists in 2018. With more than 21 World Heritage sites, Japan is a top destination for travelers to Asia.

India

Tourism accounts for 6.8% of India's GDP. The number of tourists visiting India had been steadily increasing before the pandemic. The majority of the country's tourism revenue comes from domestic tourists.

Canada

Tourism accounts for 6.3% of Canada's GDP. While the country relies heavily on exports, tourism still contributes significantly to its overall national revenue. Currently, Canada maintains border closures for non-essential entry.

Netherlands

Tourism accounts for 5.7% of the Netherlands' GDP. Amsterdam has become quieter than ever due to social distancing measures. The city's airport, once a hub for many international airlines traveling to Europe, will remain deserted for some time to come due to the pandemic.

Indonesia

Tourism accounts for 5.7% of Indonesia's GDP. Statistics from 2018 show that the country welcomed over 16 million international tourists, a 1.9% increase compared to 2017. The country's number one destination is the paradise island of Bali.

Russia

Tourism accounts for 5% of Russia's GDP. The country boasts 23 UNESCO World Heritage sites, with many more under consideration. From Volga River cruises to Trans-Siberian rail trips, Russia is a popular destination for middle-aged travelers.

Korea

The tourism industry accounts for only 2.8% of South Korea's GDP. This makes it the least affected country on this list in terms of revenue losses caused by the disruption to tourism. While 2.8% is a small number, it still has a significant impact on South Korea.

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