Tuesday May 21, 2024
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In 2023, global tourism has almost reached pre-pandemic levels with 89% of 2019 figures, a 97% recovery in revenues and a full rebound in tourism GDP, according to reports UN Tourism.
In 2023, global tourism arrivals almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, capturing 89% of 2019 figures, while tourism-generated revenues reached 97% of the 2019 total and direct tourism GDP aligned with the 2019 benchmark.
The United Nations Tourism Office’s forecast for 2024 suggests a full recovery in global tourism, with international arrivals expected to exceed 2% of 2019 levels. Recent statistics from the UN tourism agency highlight several key developments:
- The Middle East saw the most significant growth, with international tourist numbers in the first quarter of 2024 surpassing the same period before the pandemic by 36%, and showing a 4% increase compared to the first quarter of 2023. The region had already shown a remarkable recovery in 2023, with a 22% increase compared to pre-pandemic figures.
- Europe, which hosts the largest volume of international tourists in the world, recorded a slight increase for the first time compared to pre-pandemic levels, with a 1% increase compared to the first quarter of 2019. The region welcomed 120 million visitors by early 2024, supported by strong demand within the region.
- Africa has seen a 5% increase in tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2019, and a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
- The Americas will have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels of tourism in early 2024, reaching 99% of 2019 figures.
- Tourism in Asia and the Pacific is rapidly approaching recovery, with tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 reaching 82% of pre-pandemic levels, following a 65% recovery throughout 2023.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The recovery of the sector is very good news for our economies and the livelihoods of millions of people. But it also highlights the need to ensure adequate tourism policies and destination management, aimed at promoting sustainability and inclusion, while addressing externalities and the impact of the sector on resources and communities.”
By specific areas, North Africa led with a 23% increase in tourist numbers compared to pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter, followed by Central America with 8%, and the Caribbean and Western Europe with increases of 7%. Southern Mediterranean Europe slightly exceeded its pre-pandemic figures by 1%, while South America almost matched its 2019 figures. Northern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa both recorded recoveries of 95% and 98%, respectively.
Remarkable gains continued to be recorded across various global destinations in Q1 2024, with Qatar recording a 177% increase over Q1 2019, followed by Albania at 121%, Saudi Arabia at 98%, and other notable increases in Tanzania, Curacao, Serbia, Turks and Caicos Islands, Guatemala and Bulgaria.
The UN Tourism Confidence Index also reflects this positive trend, reaching 130 points out of a possible 200 for the period from January to April, exceeding the previous forecast of 122 points for this period.
In 2023, global tourism revenues reached $1.5 trillion, marking a full return to pre-pandemic figures in nominal terms, although when adjusted for inflation the figure stood at 97%.
Regionally, Europe led in terms of revenues, with tourism revenues totalling USD 660 billion, an increase of 7% over pre-pandemic figures in real terms. The Middle East saw a 33% increase over 2019 levels. The Americas achieved 96% of their pre-crisis revenues, while Africa reached 95%. Asia and the Pacific reported revenues at 78% of their pre-crisis levels, a significant recovery from the 65% recovery in visitor numbers the previous year.
Overall, total export earnings from international tourism, including both receipts and passenger transport, amounted to USD 1.7 trillion in 2023, about 96% of pre-pandemic levels. Direct tourism GDP has also returned to pre-pandemic levels, estimated at USD 3.3 trillion, or 3% of global GDP.
Countries that stood out in terms of revenue growth during the quarter were Serbia, with a 127% increase compared to 2019, followed by Turkey, Pakistan, Tanzania, Portugal, Romania, Japan, Mongolia, Mauritius and Morocco, all of which recorded notable gains.
By 2024, a full recovery in international tourism is expected, supported by strong demand, improved air connectivity and the ongoing recovery in China and other major markets in Asia.
The latest United Nations Tourism Confidence Index predicts a positive outlook for summer 2024, with a score of 130 indicating higher optimism than at the beginning of the year. A majority of tourism experts, around 62%, predict improved conditions for the next four months of the northern hemisphere summer season, although challenges remain.
Economic and geopolitical concerns, such as persistent inflation, high interest rates, oil price fluctuations and trade disruptions, continue to challenge the tourism sector, potentially pushing tourists to seek better deals closer to home. In addition, extreme weather conditions could influence travel choices.
Geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in Ukraine and ongoing issues in the Middle East, pose additional risks to the sector.
As the tourism industry continues to recover and expand, contributing to economic growth and job creation around the world, it is essential that governments adapt and improve tourism management to ensure that local communities benefit from this development.
The U.S. Travel Association predicts that international arrivals to the United States will surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2024, with 86.1 million travelers expected. In 2023, the majority of those visitors (58.7%) came for leisure reasons.
According to the 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index, the United States ranks first among economies, based on various factors such as infrastructure, attractions, and policies. The report highlights that the United States offers very favorable conditions for tourism development.
Saudi Arabia will also invest heavily in its tourism infrastructure in 2024, in line with its ambitious Vision 2030 plan. The country has attracted significant private sector investment, with around $13 billion earmarked to add between 150,000 and 200,000 hotel rooms over the next two years. In addition, Saudi Arabia aims to attract up to $80 billion in private investment to become one of the world’s most visited destinations. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy away from its traditional reliance on the oil and gas industry. Projections suggest that the tourism sector could contribute nearly $169 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2032, or 17.1% of the total economy. The Kingdom aims to attract 100 million foreign and domestic visitors per year by 2030, increasing tourism's share of the economy from around 3% to 10%.
