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International tourism has almost completely recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic with many destinations reaching or even exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to UNWTO
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 14 Dec 2023
World destinations welcomed 22% more international tourists in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year Credit: Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
International tourism has been forecast to recover 87% of its pre-pandemic numbers by the end of this year, with an estimated 975 million people travelling internationally in 2023 between January and September.
An increase of 38% on the same figures for 2022, international arrivals for tourists also hit 91% of pre-pandemic levels with July representing the best month for tourism so far since the start of the pandemic.
According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourism receipts could reach US$1.4tn (€1.27tn, £1.12tn) in 2023, about 93% of the US$1.5tn (€1.37tn, £1.18tn) earned by destinations in 2019.
Breaking down the regions, the Middle East leads the tourism recovery, with figures 20% above pre-pandemic levels in 2023. This can be attributed in part to major investment in tourism and attractions projects and the hosting of major global events, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
In Europe, 550 million people visited the continent, representing 56% of the global total and 94% of prep-pandemic levels. This rebound, says UNWTO, was supported by robust intra-regional demand as well as strong demand from US visitors.
Africa has seen its visitor numbers recover by 92%, while arrivals to the Americas reached 88% of 2019 numbers this period, Caribbean destinations proving particularly popular.
Finally, the Asia-Pacific region reached a lower 62% of pre-pandemic levels, which is the result of a slower reopening to international travel. This performance is mixed, however, with South Asia recovering 95% of pre-pandemic levels but North-East Asia only about 50%.
“The latest UNWTO data shows that international tourism has almost completely recovered from the unprecedented crisis of Covid-19 with many destinations reaching or even exceeding pre-pandemic arrivals and receipts,” said UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.
“This is critical for destinations, businesses, and communities where the sector is a major lifeline.”
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