International tourism is on track to recover almost 90 per ent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year.
According to the latest data from the World Tourism Organization, an estimated 975 million tourists travelled internationally between January and September 2023, an increase of 38 per cent on the same months of 2022.
The newest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer also shows:
- • World destinations welcomed 22 per cent more international tourists in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year, reflecting a strong Northern Hemisphere summer season.
- • International tourist arrivals hit 91 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in the third quarter, reaching 92 per cent in July, the best month so far since the start of pandemic.
- • Overall, tourism recovered 87% of pre-pandemic levels in January-September 2023. That puts the sector on course to recover almost 90% by the end of the year.
- • International tourism receipts could reach USD 1.4 trillion in 2023, about 93% of the USD 1.5 trillion earned by destinations in 2019.
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.
“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,” says UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili .
“This is critical for destinations, businesses, and communities where the sector is a major lifeline. “
Strong demand for outbound travel was reported by several large source markets this period, with many exceeding 2019 levels.
Germany and the United States spent 13 per cent and 11 per cent more respectively on outbound travel than in the same nine months of 2019, while Italy spent 16 per cent more through August.
The sustained recovery is also reflected in the performance of industry indicators. Drawing on data from the International Air Transport Association and STR, the UNWTO Tourism Recovery Tracker details a strong recovery in air passenger numbers and tourist accommodation occupancy levels.
Against this backdrop, international tourism is well on track to fully recover pre-pandemic levels in 2024 despite economic challenges such as high inflation and weaker global output, as well as important geopolitical tensions and conflicts.
