Europe sets out to rescue the summer

But he added that while the industry is expected to start recovering early next year, it will take at least another two years for the global tourism economy to return to levels seen last year, given the combined health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

He said that for European travelers to plan their summer vacations, a well-coordinated approach is needed urgently throughout the continent to re-establish effective operations and rebuild confidence.

European destinations should create and abide by common standards for the 'new normal' so that people could feel assured about traveling again, he said.

He Yun, an assistant professor at the School of Public Administration at Hunan University in Changsha, said a tourism recovery would affect other industries.

"For example, in countries such as Italy, international tourists are the main driver for sales of luxury items, which form a big chunk of its economy. If they cannot kick-start the tourism industry, then they cannot kickstart many other industries," she said.

Many tourists don't travel merely for sightseeing－they also go to bars, restaurants, concerts and shopping malls, she said. So, these places being fully open in European destinations when the summer tourism season starts will also make a difference for visitors.