International tourism rebounded to 96% of pre-pandemic levels in the seven months to July 2024, driven by strong demand in Europe and the reopening of markets in Asia and the Pacific.
According to the last World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourismabout 790 million tourists traveled internationally in the first seven months of 2024, about 11% more than in 2023 and just 4% fewer than in 2019. Data shows a strong start to the year , followed by a more modest second quarter. The results are in line with UN Tourism's projection of a full recovery in international arrivals in 2024 despite ongoing economic and geopolitical risks.
UN Secretary-General for Tourism Zurab Pololikashvili said: “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 series of economic and geopolitical challenges, highlighting strong demand for international travel as well as the effectiveness of strengthening air links and easing visa restrictions. This recovery also highlights the growing need to plan tourism and manage its impacts on communities so that the immense socio-economic benefits are coupled with inclusive and sustainable policies.
The Middle East continues to lead the recovery
The ongoing rebound comes despite a series of economic and geopolitical challenges, highlighting strong demand for international travel as well as the effectiveness of strengthening air links and easing visa restrictions.
With increased air connectivity and visa facilitation supporting the resumption of international travel, data shows that all regions of the world have recorded a strong year so far.
- THE The Middle East remains the fastest growing region in relative terms, with international arrivals soaring 26% above 2019 levels in the first seven months of 2024.
- Africa welcomed 7% more tourists than in the same months of 2019.
- Europe and the Americas have recovered 99% and 97% of their pre-pandemic arrivals respectively during these seven months.
- Asia and the Pacific recorded 82% of its pre-pandemic tourist numbers (-18% compared to 2019) reaching 85% in June and 86% in July.
A total of 67 of the world's 120 destinations have returned the number of arrivals from 2019 to the first half of 2024based on countries reporting monthly or quarterly data. Among the best performing countries in January-July 2024 are Qatar (+147% compared to 2019), where arrivals more than doubled, Albania (+93%), El Salvador (+81%), l Saudi Arabia (+73%), the Republic of Moldova (+50% until June) and Tanzania (+49% until June).
Revenue and expenditure data show even better results
Regarding international tourism receipts, 47 of the 63 countries for which data is available returned to pre-pandemic values during the first six months of 2024, with many reporting strong double-digit growth compared to 2019 (in local currencies and current prices). Among the best performing countries through June or July 2024 are Albania (+128%) and Serbia (+126%), where revenues more than doubled (compared to the same period of 2019), followed Tajikistan (+85%), Pakistan (+76%), Montenegro (+70%), North Macedonia (+60%) and Portugal (+57%). Good results were also reported by Turkey (+55%) and Colombia (+54%). Of note, based on Q1 data, are Saudi Arabia (+207%) and El Salvador (+168%), which experienced extraordinary growth compared to Q1 2019.
International tourism spending data reveals strong demand for outbound travel between January and July 2024, particularly from large source markets such as the United States (+32%), Germany (+ 38%) and the United Kingdom (+40% until March). ), compared to the same period in 2019. Strong overseas spending was also reported by Australia (+34%), Canada (+28%) and Italy (+26%), all through June 2024. Limited data for India shows an impressive figure. sharp rise in outbound spending, with growth of 86% in the first quarter of 2024 (compared to the first quarter of 2019).
Revised data for 2023 shows that international tourism export earnings reach $1.8 trillion (including revenue and passenger transport), virtually the same as before the pandemic (-1% in real terms compared to to 2019). Direct GDP from tourism also returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2023, reaching around $3.4 trillion, equivalent to 3% of global GDP. In 2019, tourism directly contributed to 4% of global GDP.
A positive end to 2024 is expected even if challenges remain
The United Nations Tourism Confidence Index shows positive expectations for the latter part of the year, at 120 points for September-December 2024, although below the outlook for May-August, which was 130 (on a scale of 0 to 200, where 100 reflects equal expected performance). Some 47% of tourism experts participating in the confidence survey expect the sector to perform better in the final four months of 2024, while 41% expect similar performance and 11% worse. This reflects a gradual normalization of tourism performance after a strong 2023.
Experts highlighted travel and tourism inflation, namely high transport and accommodation prices, as the main challenge currently facing the tourism sector, as well as the global economic situation, staff shortage and extreme weather events.
