Global tourism hits pre-pandemic milestone in 2024

By Tuba Ongun

International tourism roared back to life in 2024, marking a near-complete recovery to pre-pandemic levels, according to a UN tourism agency report released on Tuesday.

Some 1.4 billion tourists traveled internationally last year, just 1% shy of the record levels of 2019, the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism data showed.

Tourism arrivals surged 11% compared to 2023 or 140 million, led by pent-up demand, robust performance from large source markets, and ongoing recovery in Asia and the Pacific.

The Middle East, Africa, and Europe outperformed their pre-pandemic figures, with destinations such as Saudi Arabia and Morocco leading the way.

The Mideast was the top-performing region, with arrivals hitting 95 million in 2024, up 32% from 2019.

Africa also showed significant growth, welcoming 7% more visitors than before the pandemic, hitting 74 million last year.

Europe, the largest destination region with 747 million international arrivals in 2024, recorded a modest 1% rise compared to 2019 but benefited from strong intraregional travel.

Asia and the Pacific, though lagging 13% behind pre-pandemic levels, posted a 33% hike in international arrivals over the previous year to 316 million in 2024, signaling a rapid rebound.

The Americas reached 97% of their pre-pandemic numbers (213 million), with hotspots like the Caribbean exceeding 2019 figures.

-Tourism exports reaches new heights

Global tourism exports, which include international visitor spending and passenger transport, hit an all-time high of $1.9 trillion in 2024 – a 3% rise from pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the sector's strong economic impact.

Tourism receipts grew 4% compared to pre-pandemic level, reaching $1.6 trillion.

As growth levels out, average spending is steadily approaching pre-pandemic levels, falling from around $1,400 per international traveler in 2020 and 2021 to an estimated $1,100 in 2024.

Countries such as Kuwait (+232%), El Salvador (+206%), Saudi Arabia (+148%), Albania (+136%), Serbia (+98%), Moldova (+86%), and Canada (+70%) reported exceptional growth in tourism revenues, with increases of over 100% in local currencies. Among traditional tourism powerhouses, the UK, Spain, and Italy saw substantial gains in earnings.

- Positive outlook for 2025

The momentum is expected to carry into 2025, with projected growth of 3% to 5% in international arrivals, with an assumption of a continued recovery of Asia and the Pacific and solid growth in most other regions.

However, challenges such as rising travel costs, geopolitical tensions, and the need for sustainable tourism practices remain in focus.