International tourism is almost back to pre-pandemic levels, with 96% of 2019 figures recorded in the first seven months of 2024.
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer of UN Tourism, 790 million tourists visited the world during this period, which marks an increase of 11% compared to 2023 and a shortfall of only 4% from 2019.
“This setback shows that international tourism is well on its way to achieving full sustainability,” said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. He mentioned the resilience of this sector despite ongoing challenges such as economic uncertainty and political tension.
“Strong demand for international travel, combined with improved air connectivity and reduced visa restrictions, led the recovery,” he explained.
The first quarter of 2024 saw strong growth, although progress slowed in the second quarter. Still, the findings are in line with earlier predictions of a full recovery in immigration by the end of the year.
The Middle East led the recovery, with foreign arrivals increasing by 26% over 2019 levels between January and July 2024. Africa also made strong gains, welcoming 7% more tourists than in the same period in 2019.
Europe and the Americas almost returned to pre-pandemic volumes, reaching 99% and 97% of 2019 levels, respectively.
In contrast, Asia and the Pacific recorded 82% of its pre-pandemic numbers. While still recovering, the region showed steady improvement, reaching 86% in July.
Some countries exceeded expectations, such as Qatar, where arrivals more than doubled (+147% compared to 2019), and Albania (+93%).
Tourism receipts also underscored the sector’s resilience. Standout players include Serbia and Albania, where revenue doubled compared to 2019, while Türkiye and Colombia achieved growth of over 50%.
The UN Tourism Confidence Index points to the end of the year in a more optimistic way, with expectations of 120 points in the last months of 2024. However, challenges continue. Inflation, high transportation costs, and housing prices remain major obstacles.
Global economic conditions, labor shortages, and weather-related disruptions add to the problem.
“The social and economic benefits of tourism are huge,” Pololikashvili noted. “However sustainable policies are essential to ensure that these benefits do not exclude local communities or the environment.”
Although uncertainty remains, the sustainability of international tourism underscores its enduring appeal and adaptability, offering hope for continued progress by 2025.
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