IATA release | Apelo urgente à comunidade internacional para apoiar o setor africano de viagens e turismo

Cinco instituições internacionais de transporte aéreo e turismo acabam de lançar um apelo a instituições financeiras internacionais, parceiros de desenvolvimento de países e doadores internacionais para apoiar o setor de viagens e turismo da África, que emprega cerca de 24,6 milhões de pessoas no continente africano. Sem financiamento urgente, a crise do COVID-19 poderia ter um colapso do setor na África, levando consigo milhões de empregos. O setor contribui com US $ 169 bilhões para a economia da África combinada, representando 7,1% do PIB do continente. 
O pedido está sendo feito pela Associação Internacional de Transporte Aéreo (IATA), Organização Mundial de Turismo (OMT) das Nações Unidas, Conselho Mundial de Viagens e Turismo (WTTC), Associação Africana de Companhias Aéreas (AFRAA) e Associação de Companhias Aéreas do Sul África (AASA). 

Urgent Appeal to International Community to Support African
Travel and Tourism Sector
6 May 2020, Geneva, Switzerland – Five international air transport and tourism bodies have launched
an appeal to international financial institutions, country development partners and international donors
to support Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector which employs some 24.6 million people on the African
continent. Without urgent funding, the COVID-19 crisis could see a collapse of the sector in Africa,
taking with it millions of jobs. The sector contributes $169 billion to Africa’s economy combined,
representing 7.1% of the continent’s GDP.
The request is being made by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) of the United Nations, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the African
Airlines Association (AFRAA) and the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA).
These organizations are jointly calling on international financial institutions, country development
partners and international donors to support the African Travel & Tourism sector through these tough
times by providing:
 $10 billion in relief to support the Travel & Tourism industry and help protect the livelihoods of
those it supports directly and indirectly;
 Access to as much grant-type financing and cash flow assistance as possible to inject liquidity
and provide targeted support to severely impacted countries;
 Financial measures that can help minimize disruptions to much-needed credit and liquidity for
businesses. This includes the deferral of existing financial obligations or loan repayments; and,
 Ensuring that all funds flow down immediately to save the businesses that need them urgently,
with minimal application processes and without impediment from normal lending considerations
such as creditworthiness.
Some African governments are trying to provide targeted and temporary support for hard-hit sectors
such as Travel & Tourism. However, many countries lack the necessary resources to help the industry
and the livelihoods it supports through this crisis.
The situation is now critical. Airlines, hotels, guesthouses, lodges, restaurants, meeting venues and
related businesses face mounting losses. Typically, tourism is comprised of 80% of small and medium-
sized enterprises (SMEs). To preserve cash, many have already begun laying off or placing staff on
unpaid leave.

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“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt across the whole tourism value chain. The
sector and the millions of livelihoods it supports across the world, including vulnerable communities
are particularly exposed. International financial support is key to ensuring that tourism can lead to
wider economic and social recovery in these communities,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab
Pololikashvili.
“Airlines are at the core of the Travel & Tourism value chain that has created quality jobs for 24.6 million
people in Africa. Their livelihoods are at risk. Containing the pandemic is the top priority. But without a
lifeline of funding to keep the Travel & Tourism sector alive, the economic devastation of COVID-19
could take Africa’s development back a decade or more. Financial relief today is a critical investment in
Africa’s post-pandemic future for millions of Africans,” said IATA’s Director-General and CEO,
Alexandre de Juniac.
“The Travel & Tourism sector is in a fight for survival, with over 100 million jobs losses globally and
nearly eight million in Africa alone due to the COVID-19 crisis. Travel & Tourism is the backbone of
many economies across Africa and its collapse will lead to hundreds of millions of livelihoods being
impacted and enormous financial pressure for years to come. Now, more than ever, it is vital that
governments work together on a global coordinated approach towards a swift recovery and ongoing
support for Travel & Tourism. It is critical that the most vulnerable communities receive international
help. The speed and strength with which the international community comes together and responds
through international financial institutions, country development partners and international donors
will be paramount to provide support to the many millions of people whose livelihoods are heavily
dependent on our sector,” added Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO.
“Air transport and tourism industries are among the worst impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Air
transport is critical for the economic development and integration of the African continent. As such,
support to the airline industry will aid in a faster economic recovery. An end of operations by African
airlines would trigger a host of serious financial consequences, while replacing the air service provided
by the airlines would be a challenging and costly process. Urgent, immediate and consistent measures
need to be taken for the survival and rebound of the industry,” said AFRAA Secretary-General,
Abdérahmane Berthé.  
“The impact of COVID-19 in Africa continues to be brutal. Air travel and tourism have essentially shut
down. Now, more than ever, international countries need to come together to help those communities
that are most vulnerable. The survival of our industry and its allied sectors has serious ramifications for
Africa’s entire air transport system,” said AASA CEO, Chris Zweigenthal.

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Notes for editors:
 IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 290 airlines comprising 82% of global air
traffic.

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information.
WTTC
For further information, please visit wttc.org For media enquiries, please contact Paul Charles / Michael Johnson /
Claire Simpson at The PC Agency via wttc@pc.agency or +44 207 768 0001
About AFRAA
The African Airlines Association, also known by its acronym AFRAA, is a trade association of airlines from the
member states of the African Union (AU). Founded in Accra, Ghana, in April 1968, and headquartered in Nairobi,
Kenya, AFRAA’s mission is to promote, serve African Airlines and champion Africa’s aviation industry.
The Association envisions a sustainable, interconnected and affordable Air Transport industry in Africa where
African Airlines become key players and drivers to African economic development. AFRAA membership of 45
airlines cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental
African operators. The Association members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by African
airlines.
About AASA
AASA’s members include all of the domestic airlines in South Africa, most airlines in the SADC region and the
Indian Ocean islands, many of the region’s major airports, ground handling companies, aircraft and engine
manufacturers, fuel suppliers and air navigation service providers.