Around 1.1 billion tourists travelled internationally in the first nine months of 2024, as the world tourism sector recovered 98% of pre-pandemic ranges. According to the newest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, a full restoration from the greatest disaster in the sector’s historical past is predicted by the finish of the yr, regardless of financial, geopolitical and local weather challenges.
Four years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced world tourism to a standstill, the Barometer displays the sector’s exceptional restoration, with most areas already exceeding 2019 arrival numbers in the interval January to September 2024. The report additionally reveals excellent outcomes in phrases of worldwide tourism receipts, with most locations with out there information posting double-digit progress in comparison with 2019.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stated: “The strong growth seen in tourism receipts is excellent news for economies around the world. The fact that visitor spending is growing even stronger than arrivals has a direct impact on millions of jobs and small businesses and contributes decisively to the balance of payments and tax revenues of many economies.”
The indisputable fact that customer spending is rising even stronger than arrivals has a direct affect on tens of millions of jobs and small companies and contributes decisively to the stability of funds and tax revenues of many economies
Tourism efficiency by area
International vacationer arrivals grew strongly in the first nine months of 2024, pushed by sturdy post-pandemic demand in Europe and sturdy efficiency from giant supply markets globally, in addition to the ongoing restoration of locations in Asia and the Pacific. Increased air connectivity and visa facilitation additionally supported worldwide journey.
- The Middle East (+29% in comparison with 2019) continued to take pleasure in report progress this nine-month interval, whereas Europe (+1%) and Africa (+6%) additionally exceeded 2019 ranges.
- The Americas recovered 97% of its pre-pandemic arrivals (-3% over 2019).
- Asia and the Pacific reached 85% of 2019 ranges as in comparison with a 66% restoration in 2023. Asia and the Pacific has skilled a gradual although uneven rebound in arrivals since the area reopened to worldwide journey in 2023.
The summer time season in the Northern Hemisphere was usually sturdy, with arrivals worldwide reaching 99% of pre-pandemic values in Q3 2024.
A complete of 60 out of 111 locations surpassed 2019 arrival numbers in the first eight to nine months of 2024. Some of the strongest performers in arrivals throughout this era had been Qatar (+141% versus 2019) the place arrivals greater than doubled, Albania (+77%), Saudi Arabia (+61%), Curaçao (+48%), Tanzania (+43%), Colombia and Andorra (each +36%).
Tourism receipts present extraordinary progress
A complete of 35 out of 43 nations with out there information on receipts exceeded pre-pandemic values in the first eight to nine months of 2024, many reporting double-digit progress in comparison with 2019 (in native currencies), properly above inflation in most circumstances.
Among the finest performers in phrases of earnings had been Serbia (+99%) the place receipts nearly doubled (in comparison with the identical months of 2019), in addition to Pakistan (+64%), Romania (+61%), Japan (+59%), Portugal (+51%), Nicaragua and Tanzania (each 50%).
Among the world’s high earners, Japan (+59%), Türkiye (+41%) and France (+27%) all recorded double-digit progress via September 2024. Spain (+36%) and Italy (+26%) additionally reported sturdy customer receipts, via August. The United Kingdom recorded 43% increased earnings, Canada 35%, and Australia 18%, all via June 2024. As for the United States, the world’s high tourism earner, it reported 7% progress via September.
Data on worldwide tourism expenditure displays the identical development, particularly amongst giant supply markets comparable to Germany (+35% in comparison with 2019), the United States (+33%) and France (+11%).
Strong expenditure progress was additionally reported by the United Kingdom (+46%) Australia (+34%), Canada (+28%) and Italy (+26%), all via June 2024. Available information for India reveals a surge in outbound spending from this more and more vital market, with 81% progress via June 2024 (versus 2019).
On observe for full restoration by the finish of 2024
International vacationer arrivals are anticipated to achieve 2019 ranges in 2024. International tourism receipts had already just about achieved pre-pandemic ranges in 2023.
While a big quantity of locations already exceeded pre-pandemic arrival numbers in 2023, or have completed so in 2024, there’s nonetheless room for restoration throughout a number of subregions and locations. A slower rebound in components of North-East Asia and Central Eastern Europe contrasts with sturdy outcomes in all different European subregions, the Middle East, Central America and the Caribbean, the place arrivals have surpassed pre-pandemic values.
As in 2023, the yr 2024 has seen sturdy export revenues from worldwide tourism, attributable to increased common spending per journey (excluding the results of inflation), partly the end result of longer intervals of keep.
Challenges stay
Despite the usually sturdy outcomes, a number of financial, geopolitical and local weather challenges stay. The tourism sector remains to be going through inflation in journey and tourism, specifically excessive transport and lodging costs, in addition to risky oil costs. Major conflicts and tensions round the world proceed to affect client confidence, whereas excessive climate occasions and workers shortages are additionally crucial challenges for tourism efficiency.
