International tourist arrivals drop 73% due to COVID-19

International tourist arrivals dropped 73% globally in 2020 and nearly 62 million travel and tourism jobs have been lost globally as a result of the pandemic, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The G20 ministers said in a communique that "the resumption of travel and tourism was crucial for global economic recovery". They said the health crisis had presented an "opportunity to rethink tourism" and put it on a sustainable footing.

Their statement did not refer specifically to vaccine passports, but said ministers wanted to support and coordinate "safe international mobility initiatives".

Countries around the world are looking at ways for people to show they have had vaccinations to allow them to travel freely. However, airports, border agencies and airlines fear there will be no clear global standard, Reuters reported.