Photo: Viacheslav Lopatin/123RF

By Frank Martin

TTC Service.- The coronavairus is waging a bloody war against the world tourism industry that is returning the attack with increasing intensity.

Hotels and accommodation in countries where COVID-19 has spread are used as hospitals or to host doctors from other regions and countries that have reached the most compromised places in order to offer their cooperation.

This is what happens in Italy, where doctors from China, Cuba and other countries have met.

Also on Caribbean islands and other regions of the planet.

A recent example is Colombia, whose health authorities announced last week that the national tourism sector will dedicate 8,000 hotel rooms, if necessary, to combat the pandemic.

José Manuel Restrepo, Colombian Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism said in Bogotá that 132 hotels are arranged in that country in 28 (of the 32) departments of the country.

“There are more than 8,000 ready rooms, in case they are necessary to face the sanitary risk that may arise in the country,” added the minister.

This is a bloody war
UNWTO Secretary General, Zurab Pololikashvili, indicated that tourism is one of the most affected economic sectors and, nevertheless, “is also united to help face this immense health emergency.”

According to the World Tourism Organization, the leisure industry could lose some 410 billion euros due to the pandemic that is still far from reaching its end.

However, the responses are increasingly varied.

In New York tourism decided to react.

The Big Apple authorities with the city badly hit by the pandemic announced that “they will update in real time the different artistic, cultural and historical offerings.

The NYC & Company, the official marketing organization for the five boroughs of New York City, in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Mayor’s Office for Media and Entertainment, are offering virtual tours of plays, performances and cultural experiences in general.

NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. He said, “We encourage New Yorkers and prospective travelers to show their support and embrace currently available online offerings from attractions, museums, performing arts venues and beyond the city. ‘

Film festivals and different artistic activities and the renowned Broadway shows that are part of the offer that can be found on the official website of the tourism entity are available.

In many localities that are also tourist destinations, decisions are being made to convert tourist accommodation into places to care for or help victims of COVID-19.

And at least one tourism great victory has already been achieved in this war.

The Great Wall of China that had been closed last January by the expansion of Covid-19 was partially reopened by the government of China.

The Asian country is slowly returning to normal after being the birthplace of the deadly coronavirus.

The Great Wall already partially receives some visitors since last March 25.