International tourist arrivals hit 96% of pre-pandemic levels ,790 m tourists in seven months of 2024
Travel Biz News —
About 790 million tourists travelled internationally in the first seven months of 2024, about 11% more than in 2023 and only 4% less than in 2019.
International tourism bounced back to 96% of pre-pandemic levels in the seven months through July 2024, driven by strong demand in Europe and the re-opening of markets in Asia and the Pacific, according to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism.
Results are in line with UN Tourism’s projection of a full recovery in international arrivals in 2024 despite ongoing economic and geopolitical risks.
The ongoing rebound comes despite a range of economic and geopolitical challenges, highlighting the strong demand for international travel as well as the effectiveness of boosting air connections and easing visa restrictions
With increased air connectivity and visa facilitation supporting the recovery in international travel, the data shows all world regions have recorded a strong year so far.
The Middle East remained the strongest-growing region in relative terms, with international arrivals climbing 26% above 2019 levels in the first seven months of 2024.
Africa welcomed 7% more tourists than in the same months of 2019.
Europe and the Americas recovered 99% and 97% of their pre-pandemic arrivals respectively during these seven months.
Asia and the Pacific recorded 82% of its pre-pandemic tourist numbers (-18% versus 2019) reaching 85% in June and 86% in July.
A total of 67 out of 120 destinations around the world had recovered 2019 arrival numbers in the first half of 2024, based on countries reporting monthly or quarterly data.
19 September 2024
Photo- Chinese tourists in Velana Airport of Maldives ( Velana airport)
