The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening to destroy Africa’s travel and tourism sector, according to five international air transport and tourism organizations, which called on international lending institutions and others Wednesday to provide urgent funding.
The five organizations ─ the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the African Airlines Association and the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) ─ said international financial institutions, international donors and country development partners should provide $10 billion in relief to the industry.
In addition, the organizations said the continent’s travel and tourism sector requires access to “as much grant-type financing and cash flow assistance as possible,” financial measures to minimize disruptions to credit and liquidity for businesses and an assurance that funds be provided immediately to save business…
