International tourism has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 96% of 2019 figures recorded in the first seven months of 2024.
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, 790 million tourists traveled around the world during this period, marking an increase of 11% compared to 2023 and only a deficit of 4% from 2019.
“This rebound shows that international tourism is on track to consolidate its full recovery,” said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. He highlighted the sector's resilience despite ongoing challenges such as economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
“The strong demand for international travel, combined with better air links and easier visa restrictions, has helped,” he explained.
The first quarter of 2024 saw particularly strong growth, although progress slowed in the second quarter. Nevertheless, the findings align with earlier projections of a full recovery in international arrivals by the end of the year.
The Middle East led the recovery, with international arrivals soaring 26% above 2019 levels between January and July 2024. Africa also posted strong gains, welcoming 7% a more tourists than in the same period in 2019.
Europe and America almost returned to pre-pandemic volumes, achieving 99% and 97% of 2019 levels, respectively.
In contrast, Asia and the Pacific recorded 82% of their pre-pandemic numbers. While still recovering, the sector showed steady progress, reaching 86% in July.
Some countries exceeded expectations, such as Qatar, where arrivals more than doubled (+147% compared to 2019), and Albania (+93%).
Tourism income further strengthened the sector's stability. Notable performers included Serbia and Albania, where revenue more than doubled in 2019, while Türkiye and Colombia achieved growth of more than 50%.
The UN Tourism Confidence Index points to an optimistic end to the year, with expectations at 120 points for the last months of 2024. However, challenges remain. Inflation, high transport costs, and accommodation prices remain major obstacles.
Global economic conditions, labor shortages, and climate-related disruptions add to the complexity.
“The socio-economic benefits of tourism are huge,” said Pololikashvili. “But sustainable policies are essential to ensure these benefits do not come at the cost of local communities or the environment.”
While there is still uncertainty, the recovery of international tourism confirms its attractiveness and flexibility, giving hope for continued progress until 2025.
