The Legal Impacts of COVID-19 in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry

However, in difficult moments, this sector has always assumed its responsibility as an integral part of society and is also aware that social welfare must be its priority. Now, it is time to work together to combat the virus and to overcome this crisis. As you can appreciate, the University of Salamanca is committed to society: the engineers are focused on the manufacture of sanitary equipment such as protective screens and respirators (they provided more than 1000 screens to health centres in 72 hours and plan to reach 80,000), the Faculty of Pharmacy produces an average of 70 litres of hydroalcoholic gel per day to supply both hospitals and health centres, and the Faculty of Psychology provides psychological care to serve the world community. Finally, as we are in a tourism forum, I would also like to inform you that the “Colegio Arzobispo Fonseca”, a hotel owned by the University where we have hosted our most illustrious guests, has been given to the Public Health Service, and it started operating, more than a month ago, as a hospital to attend COVID-19 patients who are in the last phase of recovery. I want to conclude by giving an optimistic message. As set out by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the international cooperation of the tourism sector, as well as its solidarity would be very important for helping minimise the spread and impact of new coronavirus. Once the pandemic is over, tourism activity will be absolutely necessary for the recovery of the economy and employment all over the world. Moreover, I hope that this analysis made by so many jurists specialised in tourism law could be useful for companies, professionals and tourism administrations. Thank you very much. RICARDO RIVERO ORTEGA Rector of the University of Salamanca

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTE4NzM5Nw==