Tourexpi
Global
tourism has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, with international arrivals
reaching 96% of its 2019 figures this January-July, according to a UN Tourism
report released on Thursday.
Nearly
790 million tourists traveled abroad in the first seven months of the year, up
11% from 2023, the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer data showed.
Despite
ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges, the sector is on track for full
recovery by year’s end.
Leading
the improvement are Europe, which reached 99% of pre-pandemic levels, and the
Middle East, which surged 26% compared to its 2019 figures.
Asia
and the Pacific, still recovering from a slower reopening, posted an 82%
recovery, with numbers steadily improving as markets fully reopen.
UN
Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted the results as
evidence of the strong global demand for travel, as well as the effectiveness
of easing visa restrictions and improving air connections.
"International
tourism is on track to consolidate its full recovery from the biggest crisis in
the sector’s history," he said.
In
January-July, the strongest performers were Qatar (up 147% from 2019), Albania
(up 93%), El Salvador (up 81%), and Saudi Arabia (up 73%).
Receipts
from tourism are also rebounding, with countries like Albania and Serbia
reporting tourism revenues more than double compared to 2019, with 128% and
126%, respectively. They were followed by Tajikistan (+85%), Pakistan (+76%),
Montenegro (+70%), North Macedonia (+60%), and Portugal (+57%).
However,
inflation in travel costs, economic uncertainty, and climate change continue to
pose challenges to the industry’s full recovery, it added.
Looking
ahead, the UN’s Tourism Confidence Index predicts a positive finish to 2024,
though experts warn that rising prices and ongoing global instability could
slow growth in the final months of the year.
Image
Credit: © AA
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