According to UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO) data, international tourist arrivals reached 97% of the pre-pandemic level in the first quarter of 2024. Thus, from January to March, more than 285 million tourists traveled abroad. This result is 20% better than the one achieved in the same period last year.
Almost complete recovery of tourism
In 2023, international tourist arrivals recovered by 89% compared to 2019 levels. At the same time, tourism export revenues remained at 97%, and direct tourism GDP reached the same levels as in 2019. The projection of the UN specialized tourism agency indicates a full recovery of international tourism in 2024 with arrivals increasing by 2% compared to 2019 levels.
Near East recorded the strongest relative growth, with international arrivals exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 36% in the first quarter of 2024. To recall, the Middle East last year became the first world region to recover, achieving 22% better results than before the pandemic.
Europe exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the first time in the first quarter (+1% compared to the first quarter of 2019). The region recorded 120 million international tourists in the first three months of this year, with strong demand within the region.
Africa welcomed 5% more arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 than in the first quarter of 2019 and 13% more than in the first quarter of 2023. America has virtually recovered its pre-pandemic numbers in this first quarter, with arrivals reaching 99% of 2019 levels. International tourism is experiencing a rapid recovery in Asia and the Pacific where arrivals reached 82% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024, after a 65% recovery in 2023.
"The sector's recovery is very welcome news for our economies and the lives of millions. However, it also reminds us of the need to ensure appropriate tourism policies and destination management, with the aim of promoting sustainability and inclusion, while addressing externalities and the sector's impact on resources and communities ", said the Secretary General of UN Tourism, Zurab Pololikashvili.
By sub-region, North Africa recorded the best performance in the first quarter of 2024 with 23% more international arrivals than before the pandemic, followed by Central America (+8%), the Caribbean and Western Europe (both +7%). Southern Mediterranean Europe exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 1%, while South America practically reached 2019 levels. Northern Europe recovered 98% of pre-pandemic levels, while sub-Saharan Africa and North America recovered 95%.