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Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. Terms of use: Documents inADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use.By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term "country" in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Note: In this publication, "$" refers to US dollars.The ADB Economics Working Paper Series is a forum for stimulating discussion and eliciting feedback on ongoing and recently completed research and policy studies undertaken by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) staff, consultants, or resource persons. The series deals with key economic and development problems, particularly those facing the Asia and Pacific region; as well as conceptual, analytical, or methodological issues relating to project/program economic analysis, and statistical data and measurement. The series aims to enhance the knowledge on Asia's development and policy challenges; strengthen analytical rigor and quality of ADB's country partnership strategies, and its subregional and country operations; and improve the quality and availability of statistical data and development indicators for monitoring development effectiveness.

Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. Terms of use: Documents inADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use.By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term "country" in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Notes: 1. In this publication, "$" refers to US dollars. 2. ADB recognizes "Burma" as Myanmar and "China" as the People's Republic of China.The ADB Economics Working Paper Series is a forum for stimulating discussion and eliciting feedback on ongoing and recently completed research and policy studies undertaken by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) staff, consultants, or resource persons. The series deals with key economic and development problems, particularly those facing the Asia and Pacific region; as well as conceptual, analytical, or methodological issues relating to project/program economic analysis, and statistical data and measurement. The series aims to enhance the knowledge on Asia's development and policy challenges; strengthen analytical rigor and quality of ADB's country partnership strategies, and its subregional and country operations; and improve the quality and availability of statistical data and development indicators for monitoring development effectiveness.

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INTRODuCTION Before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, travel and tourism contributed 10.4% to global gross domestic product (GDP) and supported 319 million jobs (World Travel and Tourism Council [WTTC] 2019). International tourist arrivals reached 1.5 billion in 2019, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) forecasted that international arrivals would grow by 3%-4% in 2020 (UNWTO 2020a). Arrivals in the Asia and Pacific region were expected to grow by 5%-6% in 2020. If managed well, this rapid expansion of tourism was expected to contribute to poverty reduction and inclusive growth (Chok, Macbeth, and Warren 2007; Mitchell and Ashley 2009; ADB 2017). Since March 2020, COVID-19 has paralyzed tourism as countries closed their borders, suspended commercial aviation, restricted domestic travel, and implemented physical distancing measures. The UNWTO reports 22% fewer international arrivals in the first quarter of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019, with the largest drop in the Asia and Pacific. In light of the pandemic, global arrivals could decline by up to 78% in 2020. This would place 120 million jobs at risk and reduce visitor exports by $1.2 trillion (UNWTO 2020b). Developing Asia, particularly tourism-dependent countries in Southeast Asia, is expected to be heavily affected (ADB 2020). The Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) reported its first two COVID-19 cases on 24 March 2020 (Government of the Lao PDR, Ministry of Health n.d). A nationwide lockdown followed on 30 March 2020, prohibiting residents from leaving their homes except for essentials. All international ports of entry were closed to tourists, issuance of tourist visas suspended, and interprovincial travel banned. 2 Although hotels, resorts, and restaurants were allowed to continue operating under strict guidelines, travel restrictions severely undercut demand.