The world tourism is showing a staggering 90% recovery anticipated by the year’s end, marking a significant rebound from the pandemic-induced downturn, said the recent statistics by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Surpassing expectations, an estimated 975 million travellers ventured across borders in the initial nine months of 2023, marking a robust 38% upsurge compared to the analogous period in 2022.
PROMISING INSIGHTS
Despite economic challenges such as high inflation and weaker global output, as well as important geopolitical tensions and conflicts, international tourism is well on track to fully recover pre-pandemic levels in 2024
- A 22% surge in global destination visits during the third quarter of 2023, notably buoyed by a vibrant Northern Hemisphere summer, signifies a remarkable recovery.
- In July, international tourist arrivals soared to 92% of pre-pandemic levels, illustrating the most substantial resurgence since the onset of the global health crisis.
- A comprehensive overview reveals that by the close of September 2023, tourism had clawed back to 87% of its pre-pandemic vitality, painting an optimistic picture for a near-complete revival by year-end.
Projections suggest international tourism receipts may touch USD 1.4 trillion this year, a commendable 93% recovery from the USD 1.5 trillion earned in 2019. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized, “The latest UNWTO data underscores the near-complete resurgence of international tourism from the unparalleled turmoil of COVID-19, benefiting destinations, enterprises, and communities reliant on this vital sector.”
REGIONAL RECOVERY DYNAMICS
- The Middle East spearheads the resurgence, boasting arrivals 20% higher than pre-pandemic levels through September 2023, surpassing other global regions. Strategic visa facilitation, new tourism projects, and hosting major events have fortified this exceptional recovery.
- Europe, the globe’s foremost destination, welcomed 550 million tourists, comprising 56% of global visits and reaching 94% of pre-pandemic volumes. Intra-regional demand and robust interest from the United States underpinned this recovery.
- Africa saw a commendable 92% tourism resurgence, while the Americas registered 88% of 2019’s visitor numbers, fuelled predominantly by robust US demand, notably in Caribbean locales.
- Asia and the Pacific achieved 62% of pre-pandemic levels, albeit with varied sub regional performances, showcasing a contrast between South Asia’s 95% recovery and North-East Asia’s more conservative 50%.
RESILIENT SPENDING TRENDS
Noteworthy demand for outbound travel was reported from key source markets, with Germany and the United States respectively spending 13% and 11% more on outbound travel compared to 2019, while Italy exhibited a 16% upsurge through August.
The robust recovery echoes through industry indicators, drawing on data from IATA and STR, showcasing a resurgent surge in air passenger numbers and tourist accommodation occupancy levels.
Despite economic challenges such as inflation, global output fluctuations, and geopolitical tensions, the UNWTO remains optimistic about international tourism’s full pre-pandemic recovery by 2024.”