Global Tourism Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2024: UN Report

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Global tourism has fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals recorded in 2024, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

This marks an 11% increase over the 1.3 billion arrivals in 2023, reaching figures last seen in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted global travel.

Key Drivers of Recovery

The UNWTO, based in Madrid, attributes this recovery to “robust” demand from major markets and the resurgence of tourism in Asia, which has seen significant growth following pandemic restrictions. Global tourism receipts climbed to $1.6 trillion in 2024, a 3% increase from 2023 and 4% higher than 2019 when adjusted for inflation and currency fluctuations.

Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General, stated: “In 2024, global tourism completed its recovery from the pandemic, with many destinations surpassing pre-2019 levels in arrivals and earnings. Strong demand is expected to drive further growth in 2025, fostering socio-economic development in both established and emerging destinations.”

Regional Highlights

Europe, the world’s most visited region, saw 747 million international arrivals in 2024—a 5% increase over 2023 and 1% higher than 2019. However, Central and Eastern Europe still face challenges due to the ongoing effects of the conflict in Ukraine.

Asia and the Pacific experienced a 33% rise in arrivals, reaching 316 million visitors. Despite this growth, the region is yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, achieving 87% of 2019 figures.

The Middle East recorded the most substantial recovery, with 95 million arrivals in 2024—a 32% increase over pre-pandemic levels and 1% higher than the previous year. Countries like Saudi Arabia have seen a 69% rise in international arrivals since 2019, highlighting the region’s expanding tourism sector.

El Salvador, benefiting from significant improvements in public safety, saw an 81% increase in arrivals compared to 2019, while Morocco and Japan broke tourism records in 2024.

Challenges and Future Outlook

The surge in tourism has raised concerns about overcrowding in popular destinations. Authorities in cities like Venice have implemented measures to limit visitor numbers, including entry fees for day-trippers. Similarly, Japan has introduced caps on daily hiker numbers at Mount Fuji, and Amsterdam has reduced cruise ship arrivals to ease pressure on local infrastructure.

Looking ahead to 2025, the UNWTO predicts a 3-5% increase in international arrivals, driven by ongoing recovery in Asia, lower inflation, and stable geopolitical conditions. However, challenges such as high transportation and accommodation costs, volatile oil prices, and workforce shortages remain significant hurdles for the sector.

Tourism’s Role in Economic Growth

Tourism continues to play a pivotal role in global economic recovery. According to the UNWTO Tourism Recovery Tracker, sustainable practices and people-centric policies are critical for maintaining growth while addressing environmental and social challenges in the sector.