International Tourism to Reach Pre-Pandemic Levels This Year

International tourism is expected to reach pre-pandemic levels this year, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) projection.

This year’s first UNWTO World Tourism Barometer revealed that in 2023, international tourism recorded about 1.3 billion international arrivals, reaching 88 per cent of 2019 levels, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili noted that tourism is recovering quickly and is expected to reach pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024.

The rebound is already having a significant impact on economies, jobs, growth and opportunities for communities everywhere. These numbers also recall the critical task of progressing sustainability and inclusion in tourism development.

Middle East, Europe and Africa experienced a robust performance in 2023, according to UNWTO. In addition, the Middle East is the only region to surpass pre-pandemic levels, with arrivals exceeding 2019 figures by 22 per cent.

Europe, the most visited region globally, stood at 94 per cent of 2019 levels. Meanwhile, according to recent data from Eurostat – the EU’s statistical office – EU tourism set a new record regarding nights spent, reaching nearly three billion in 2023.

Africa reached 96 per cent of 2019 levels, and the United States 90 per cent. On the other hand, Asia and the Pacific region achieved 65 per cent of the pre-pandemic levels after the reopening of various markets and destinations.

Meanwhile, sub-regions such as Southern Mediterranean Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, and North Africa have surpassed their 2019 levels as well.

UNWTO pointed out that global tourism also experienced a strong performance in terms of revenues.

International tourism receipts in 2023 recorded about €1.28 trillion (USD 1.4 trillion), at 93 per cent of 2019 levels. Meanwhile, revenues from total exports from tourism accounted for €1.47 trillion (USD 1.6 trillion), reaching 95 per cent of 2019 levels.

Preliminary estimates on the economic contribution of tourism, measured in tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP), point to USD 3.3 trillion in 2023, or 3 per cent of global GDP. This indicates a recovery of pre-pandemic TDGDP driven by strong domestic and international tourism.

Furthermore, the recent UNWTO Tourism Confidence Index survey showed that 67 per cent of tourism professionals indicate better or much better prospects for 2024 than last year. Nearly 28 per cent forecast similar performance, and the remaining six per cent expect worse performance.