United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) says, Approximately 790 Million Tourists Travelled Internationally Between January and July This Year

Friday, September 20, 2024

As the world gradually emerges from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel and tourism industry has seen a remarkable recovery, signaling that the worst is now behind us. According to the latest World Tourism Barometer published by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), approximately 790 million tourists traveled internationally between January and July 2024. This represents an 11% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and is just 4% below the numbers recorded in 2019, before the pandemic struck.

The data indicates that global tourism has reached 96% of pre-pandemic levels, underscoring a strong and sustained recovery in a sector that was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic.

This rebound has been driven by several key factors, including increased demand for international travel, the reopening of critical markets in Asia and the Pacific, and the easing of visa restrictions. The resurgence of tourism in regions like Europe, which continues to be the world’s largest tourism market, along with the booming recovery in the Middle East, has further propelled global travel demand.

UNWTO’s World Tourism Barometer: Key Insights for 2024

The UNWTO’s World Tourism Barometer provides an in-depth look at the state of global tourism during the first seven months of 2024. The data reveals a strong start to the year, particularly in Europe and Asia, though the second quarter saw a more modest growth rate. This pattern is in line with the UNWTO’s projections for a full recovery in international tourism arrivals by the end of 2024, despite the ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges that continue to affect many parts of the world.

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UNWTO, expressed optimism about the sector’s recovery, noting that the rapid rebound highlights the resilience of the global tourism industry. “International tourism is on track to consolidate its full recovery from the biggest crisis in the sector’s history. The ongoing rebound comes despite a range of economic and geopolitical challenges, highlighting the strong demand for international travel,” Pololikashvili said.

Regional Breakdown: Europe and the Middle East Lead the Way

The tourism recovery has not been uniform across all regions, with some areas performing better than others. In terms of relative growth, the Middle East emerged as the strongest performer, with international arrivals increasing by 26% above 2019 levels in the first seven months of 2024. This extraordinary growth is attributed to increased air connectivity, major global events, and the easing of travel restrictions that made the region more accessible.

Europe remains a key driver of global tourism, recovering 99% of its pre-pandemic international arrivals in the first seven months of 2024. As the most visited region in the world, Europe benefited from the strong demand for leisure travel, cultural tourism, and business events. The reopening of major destinations, particularly in Southern and Western Europe, has bolstered the recovery, with tourists flocking to popular spots like France, Spain, Italy, and Greece.

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Asia and the Pacific, while still lagging behind other regions, has shown significant improvement, recovering 82% of its pre-pandemic tourism levels by July 2024. This region, which includes major tourism markets like China, Japan, and Australia, has benefited from the reopening of borders and the gradual return of international flights. By the middle of the year, tourism levels in Asia reached 85% of 2019 figures in June and 86% in July, signaling that the region is on a strong upward trajectory.

Top-Performing Destinations: A Global Perspective

In 2024, 67 out of 120 global destinations tracked by the UNWTO reported a full recovery in international arrivals, matching or surpassing their 2019 levels. Some of the standout destinations in terms of tourism growth included:

• Qatar: Tourism in Qatar soared by 147% compared to 2019, driven by major events such as the FIFA World Cup 2022, as well as extensive investments in tourism infrastructure.
• Albania: With a remarkable 93% increase in arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels, Albania continues to attract tourists with its pristine beaches, cultural heritage, and affordable travel options.
• El Salvador: The Central American nation saw an 81% increase in tourism, boosted by safety improvements and efforts to promote the country as a leading eco-tourism destination.
• Saudi Arabia: In line with its Vision 2030 initiative, Saudi Arabia has aggressively promoted itself as a global tourism destination, leading to a 73% rise in arrivals.
• Republic of Moldova: Moldova has emerged as a unique destination for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences, with international arrivals growing by 50% in 2024.

These countries, among others, have demonstrated the increasing desire for cultural exploration, adventure tourism, and sustainable travel, which have become key drivers of tourism growth.

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