International tourism is on track to rebound to pre-pandemic levels this year, according to the latest projection by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The UNWTO’s first World Tourism Barometer for 2023 revealed that international tourism saw about 1.3 billion international arrivals, reaching 88 per cent of 2019 levels, indicating a significant recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili expressed optimism, stating that tourism is expected to reach pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024. He emphasized the impact of the rebound on economies, jobs, growth, and opportunities for communities, while also stressing the importance of advancing sustainability and inclusion in tourism development.
The Middle East, Europe, and Africa showed robust performance in 2023, with the Middle East being the only region to surpass pre-pandemic levels, experiencing a 22 per cent increase in arrivals compared to 2019. Europe, as the most visited region globally, stood at 94 per cent of 2019 levels, and the EU reached a new record in nights spent, nearing three billion in 2023.
Africa and the United States reached 96 per cent and 90 per cent of 2019 levels, respectively, while Asia and the Pacific region achieved 65 per cent after reopening various markets and destinations. Additionally, sub-regions such as Southern Mediterranean Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, and North Africa have also surpassed their 2019 levels.
In terms of revenue, international tourism receipts in 2023 totaled about €1.28 trillion (USD 1.4 trillion), reaching 93 per cent of 2019 levels. Revenues from total exports from tourism accounted for €1.47 trillion (USD 1.6 trillion), at 95 per cent of 2019 levels.
Preliminary estimates on the economic contribution of tourism, measured in tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP), pointed to USD 3.3 trillion in 2023, or 3 per cent of global GDP, indicating a recovery of pre-pandemic TDGDP driven by strong domestic and international tourism.
The recent UNWTO Tourism Confidence Index survey showed that 67 per cent of tourism professionals indicate better or much better prospects for 2024 than last year, with nearly 28 per cent forecasting similar performance. This positive outlook reflects the confidence in the continued recovery of the tourism industry.
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