German activities COVID-19 Response Measures for Tourism
In German development cooperation partner countries such as Cambodia, Georgia and Albania, tourism accounted for far over 20 per cent of GDP prior to the pandemic. The crisis does not only affect the tourism sector itself but also sectors which indirectly benefit from tourism.
Without the money spent by tourists, it is no longer possible for hospitality and catering industry enterprises, leisure facilities and other companies in the tourism sector to pay the salaries of their workers. Transport companies, farms and retailers lose important markets.
As a result of the pandemic, people whose incomes mainly depend on tourists have become almost unable to make any money – for example people who sell souvenirs, jewellery, ice cream, and drinks. The loss of revenue has also limited the ability of nature conservation initiatives and cultural institutions to continue their work.
The pandemic has particularly affected low-skilled workers, informal workers and workers with little job experience. Women, who account for 54 per cent of tourism industry workers, are particularly affected.
Purpose of the COVID-19 Response Measures for Tourism
The purpose of the COVID-19 Response Measures for Tourism is not only to maintain tourism infrastructure and enable stakeholders to start selling tourism-related products and services again but also to take a critical look at previous approaches, improve social and environmental aspects in the tourism sector, and make the tourism industry in developing countries and emerging economies more resilient to crisis.
The COVID-19 Response Measures for Tourism are being implemented in more than 20 partner countries of the BMZ in cooperation with non-governmental organisations, UN agencies, industry associations, German tourism companies, and other cooperation partners.
They focus on the following goals:
- Training on digital technology for tourism industry workers
- Equal opportunities for all people and empowerment of women
- Improving resilience against crises through risk-informed management
- Strengthening the protection of children in tourism
- Improving the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises
- Protecting biodiversity and the cultural heritage
Example eAcademy for the tourism and hospitality industry
As the industry moves out of crisis mode, it is important for many tourism workers to have access to flexible, free, and relevant training. The BMZ's free learning platform, atingi.org (External link), therefore provides an eAcademy for the tourism and hospitality sector (External link). It comprises 45 courses, offered in English and French.
Learning certificates that have been recognised by the tourism industry, referred to as Open Badges, give workers a chance to furnish evidence of what they have learned, making it easier for them to find a job.
As at: 25/05/2022