Global Tourism on Track for Full Recovery as Spending Surpasses Arrivals
International tourism is on the brink of a full recovery from the pandemic’s impact. By the end of 2024, it is projected that approximately 1.1 billion tourists will have traveled internationally. This figure represents a staggering 98% of pre-pandemic levels. The UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer reveals a promising trend: tourism receipts are growing at a faster pace than arrival numbers, with most destinations reporting double-digit growth compared to 2019.
The Middle East is spearheading the recovery efforts, boasting arrivals 29% above 2019 levels. Europe and Africa are also showing resilience, exceeding pre-pandemic numbers. Meanwhile, Asia and the Pacific have reached 85% of 2019 levels, a significant leap from the 66% recovery reported in 2023.
Top-earning destinations have all recorded substantial double-digit growth through September 2024. These include:
- Japan: +59%
- Turkey: +41%
- France: +27%
This robust performance is attributed to increased average spending per trip, resulting from longer stays and pent-up demand. This is despite the challenges posed by inflation, geopolitical tensions, and climate impacts. International tourism receipts are expected to reach full recovery levels, with export revenues from tourism projected to hit $1.6 trillion in 2023. This figure is nearly 95% of the $1.7 trillion recorded in 2019. The sector continues to support millions of jobs worldwide and contributes significantly to global GDP.
Source: UN Tourism