VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

ENGLISH FOR TOURISM

Midterm Assignment

Lecturer: MA. Tran Thu Ha

Student: Nguyen Thanh Giang
Student number: 20032660

Hanoi, 2023
 Title: Impacts of Covid-19 on Travel Services in the Tourism Industry

The Covid-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on the global tourism industry, and the
travel services sector has been among the hardest hit. As travel restrictions, lockdowns,
and social distancing measures were enforced worldwide, tour operators and other travel
service providers faced significant challenges. This report delves into the background of
the sector, analyzes the effects of Covid-19, and explores the measures taken to mitigate
the crisis. Furthermore, it also provides recommendations to minimize the impact of
future crises and support businesses and individuals in the sector during challenging
times.

Before the pandemic, travel services were thriving, offering a myriad of experiences to
travelers and enriching the tourism industry. However, with the sudden emergence of
Covid-19, the sector faced unparalleled disruptions, leading to widespread closures and
cancellations. The effects of Covid-19 on travel services have been far-reaching and
profound. With travel restrictions, social distancing measures, and widespread fear of the
virus, the sector faced a sharp decline in demand and revenue. According to the World
Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourist arrivals declined by 74% globally
in 2020 compared to the previous year. This drastic drop resulted in a loss of around $1.3
trillion in international tourism receipts, significantly impacting the travel services sector.
Moreover, the closure of tourist attractions, museums, and theme parks further
exacerbated the financial strain on the industry. Tour operators and travel service
providers struggled to maintain operations amidst decreased tourist numbers, leading to
job losses and business closures.

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 Source: UNWTO
To mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on travel services, the industry implemented several
measures to adapt to the new normal. Health and safety protocols, such as reduced
capacity, temperature checks, and mandatory mask-wearing, were rigorously enforced at
entertainment venues and tourist attractions to ensure the safety of guests and employees.
An excellent example is the Disney theme parks. According to CNN Business, when
Disney parks around the world reopened in mid-2020, they introduced a series of
measures, including advanced reservation systems, mandatory face coverings,
temperature screenings, and reduced capacity to ensure physical distancing. These
measures were aimed at providing visitors with a safe experience and preventing the
spread of the virus within the parks. Besides, many businesses offered refunds or
vouchers for future use to maintain goodwill and retain customer loyalty amidst event
cancellations and travel restrictions. Additionally, governments in various countries
provided financial aid and support packages to struggling businesses in the sector, seeking
to alleviate the economic burden and sustain livelihoods. For instance, the Singaporean
government launched the "SingapoRediscovers Vouchers" programme. As reported by
CNBC, this program provided eligible residents with digital vouchers worth S$100
(approximately $75) to encourage domestic tourism and boost local travel service
providers. Similar initiatives were implemented in other countries, offering financial
assistance to businesses and promoting domestic tourism to support the industry during
challenging times. Despite these efforts, the path to recovery remains challenging, and the
industry must continue to innovate and collaborate to navigate through the crisis and
emerge stronger in a post-pandemic world.

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 Source: UNWTO

To minimize future effects and support the travel services sector beyond the Covid-19
crisis, several recommendations should be considered. First, fostering collaboration and
partnerships between tour operators, local governments can lead to innovative marketing
campaigns and combined efforts to attract tourists back to destinations. Second, upskilling
and training programmes should be provided to employees in the sector, equipping them
with the necessary skills to adapt to changing demands and ensure a high level of service
quality. Third, promoting sustainable tourism practises can attract environmentally
conscious travelers and contribute to the sector's long-term viability. Lastly, governments
and industry stakeholders must develop comprehensive crisis preparedness plans to
enhance their ability to respond effectively to future challenges and uncertainties. By
implementing these recommendations, the travel services sector can navigate through
future crises more successfully and continue to be a vital contributor to the global tourism
industry.

The Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the travel services sector within the
tourism industry. However, with the implementation of strategic measures and collective
efforts, the sector can gradually recover and thrive. Governments, businesses, and
individuals must work together to ensure the survival of this critical aspect of the tourism
industry, embracing innovation and adaptability to navigate through future challenges

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successfully. As we move towards a post-pandemic era, the travel services sector will play
a pivotal role in reviving the global tourism landscape.

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 REFERENCES

1. Annabeth Leow (2022), SingapoRediscovers Vouchers scheme yields S$300

million in spending: STB, The Business Times.
2. Frank Pallotta (2020), Disney World sets reopening date, CNN Business.
3. UNWTO (2021), 2020: Worst year in tourism history with 1 billion fewer
international arrivals.
4. UNWTO (2020), International tourist number down 65% in first half of 2020,
UNWTO reports.
5. UNWTO, Impact assessment of the COVID-19 outbreak on international tourism.
6. UNWTO, UNWTO world tourism barometer.