UN Tourism: Global Travel Edges Even Closer to Pre-Covid 2019 Levels

Photo source: UN Tourism

International tourist arrivals came even closer to pre-pandemic 2019 levels in the first quarter (Q1) of the year reflecting the sector’s resilience, said UN Tourism.

According to data released this week, global tourist arrivals recovered 97 percent of 2019 levels in Q1 with more than 285 million people traveling internationally, up by 20 percent over January-March 2023.

UN Tourism forecasts full recovery in 2024 with arrivals surpassing 2019 levels by 2 percent.

Once again regional performance varied, with the Middle East showing the strongest growth, exceeding 2019 levels by 36 percent in Q1 2024 and by 22 percent in 2023.

Europe also exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 1 percent in Q1 2024, welcoming 120 million international tourists with sub-regions Western Europe up by 7 percent and Southern Mediterranean Europe by 1 percent over 2019.

Top performing destinations in Q1 2024 included Qatar (+177 percent), Albania (+121 percent), and Saudi Arabia (+98 percent).

Tourism receipts

Photo source: UN Tourism

According to the same data, global tourism receipts in 2023 reached 1.5 trillion dollars. Europe generated the highest tourism-related revenue which exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 7 percent to 660 billion dollars.

The Middle East marked a 33 percent increase over 2019 levels, while the Americas and Africa recovered 96 percent and 95 percent of pre-Covid receipts, respectively. Asia and the Pacific achieved 78 percent of pre-crisis receipts.

Top performers in terms of receipts in Q1 included Serbia (+127 percent), Turkey (+82 percent), and Pakistan (+72 percent).

“The recovery of the sector is very welcome news for our economies and the livelihoods of millions. Yet it also recalls the need to ensure adequate tourism policies and destination management, aiming to advance sustainability and inclusion, while addressing the externalities and impact of the sector on resources and communities,” said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commenting on the news.

Looking ahead, the UN Tourism Confidence Index forecasts a strong summer season, with robust demand, improved air connectivity, and the continued recovery of key Asian markets.