SINGAPORE: Asian economies could lose $105-$115 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) this year due to a slump in tourism following the outbreak of the coronavirus, ING said in a report on Monday.
“If we assume that tourism to and from China basically grinds to a halt in 2020, and extra regional tourism also diminishes, then the cost to the region from lost tourism revenues alone is approximately $105-$115 billion,” said Robert Carnell, ING’s chief economist for Asia-Pacific.
In a report titled “Holidays in hell,” Carnell said the research assumed zero tourism receipts for Asian countries from inbound China visitors as it sought to calculate the total loss from the epidemic.
“That’s obviously a gross simplification, but it fits a scenario where the epidemic lingers long after it peaks. Official travel restrictions may be slow to be removed, and travelers may remain wary long after it is safe for them to travel again,” the report said.
Fears of a coronavirus pandemic grew on Monday after sharp rises in new cases reported in Iran, Italy and South Korea.
The virus has infected more than 77,000 people and killed more than 2,500 in China, most in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak. Outside mainland China, the outbreak has spread to about 29 countries and territories, with a death toll of about two dozen, according to a Reuters tally.
From Bali to Bangkok, Asia’s main tourism hotspots have suffered thousands of cancelations, even as countries impose travel restrictions to try and halt the spread the virus.
“While Thailand tops the poll for the region as a whole in terms of pure numbers, Chinese tourists are still a very important source of income for other South East Asian economies,” ING said.
As part of its analysis, ING included spending by outbound tourists to China, as well as the inbound Chinese tourists that will no longer be visiting countries in the region.
Coronavirus outbreak to cost Asia $115 billion in lost tourism revenues
https://arab.news/w78s9
Coronavirus outbreak to cost Asia $115 billion in lost tourism revenues
- From Bali to Bangkok, Asia’s main tourism hotspots have suffered thousands of cancelations
- ‘Chinese tourists are still a very important source of income for other South East Asian economies’
Saudi energy minister holds series of high-level meetings to cement collaborations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy held a series of strategic meetings in Riyadh with senior ministers from various counties, in a diplomatic push to bolster international energy collaboration.
Officials from Greece, Brazil, and Morocco were among those to meet with Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, as well as representatives from Libya and Pakistan.
The discussions centered on expanding cooperation across a wide spectrum of energy sectors, from traditional hydrocarbons to cutting-edge clean technologies, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The engagements underscored Saudi Arabia’s proactive role in shaping the global energy transition through bilateral partnerships. A consistent theme across the talks was the dual focus on securing energy supplies and advancing climate-related solutions, including renewable power, clean hydrogen, and carbon management.
Deepening European and South American ties
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met with Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou. Building upon a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding, the two officials explored avenues for joint cooperation in oil and gas, electricity, and renewables, as well as other related sectors.
In a separate meeting with Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, the parties discussed prospects for collaboration across various energy domains. They reviewed means to enhance coordination, particularly in electricity, renewables, oil and gas, and the exchange of technical expertise.
Signing a program with Morocco
A key outcome emerged from the meeting with Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali. Following their discussions on mutual interests, investment opportunities in renewables, and energy efficiency, the two sides signed an executive cooperation program.
This program, falling under an MoU signed in May 2022, aims to concretize the energy partnership. Its goals are boosting mutual investments in renewable projects and enabling national companies to collaborate on renewable energy projects.
It also encompasses using renewables in development projects, establishing joint research and development centers, and facilitating training and knowledge transfer.
Strengthening regional and Islamic cooperation
Prince Abdulaziz also conferred with Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek. Their meeting focused on energy cooperation, including energy technologies and solutions, as well as enhancing investment opportunities in renewables and energy efficiency.
Discussions with Pakistan’s Minister of Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, covered shared interests in oil and its supplies, renewable energy, energy efficiency, joint investment opportunities, and the exchange of expertise in project, policy, and regulatory development.
This flurry of diplomatic activity highlights Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive energy strategy, which seeks to maintain its leadership in traditional energy markets while pursuing a stake in the future clean energy economy.
