The closure of borders due to the coronavirus pandemic has had a huge negative impact on tourism around the world. And the countries and regions that are considered to be some of the most popular tourist destinations have suffered the most from this.
Located on the shores of the South China Sea, Macau tops the list of most affected countries and regions. Until 2020, the region was thriving, with more than 3.38 million people going there each month to experience the vibrant nightlife and culture. But now the monthly number of vacationers in Macau has decreased to 491 thousand; that is, by 85.04%.
The second respective place is occupied by Cyprus, which is known as the birthplace of Aphrodite, as well as it attracts tourists with its beautiful beaches and good food. In 2019-2020, the number of tourists arriving in Cyprus decreased by 84.12% every month. Moreover, the average number of internet searches for “recreation in Cyprus” has decreased by 45%.
In the third place is Malaysia. In 2019, 2,175,065 tourists visited had visited there, whereas in 2020—a mere 361,060; that is, 83.40% less.
Thailand has suffered the most financially from the coronavirus. During the pandemic, this country lost 21% of its GDP, and during the year, the number of travelers decreased from 3.3 million per month to half a million. According to analysts, Thailand lost a total of $13.4 billion.
The respective rating includes the Philippines, Mauritius, Portugal, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Greece, too.