Data released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on Friday indicate that international tourism figures for 2024 are poised to reach pre-pandemic levels.
The initial UNWTO World Tourism Barometer revealed nearly 1.3 billion international travelers in 2023, constituting 88 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
The report considers that an ‘enhanced recovery of Asian markets’ and a corresponding increase in airline connections are anticipated to support a complete recovery by the conclusion of 2024.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili pointed out that the latest UNWTO data underscore tourism’s resilience and rapid recovery worldwide, with pre-pandemic numbers expected by the end of 2024.
“The rebound is already having a significant impact on economies, jobs, growth, and opportunities for communities everywhere. These numbers also recall the critical task of progressing sustainability and inclusion in tourism development,” he said.
The organization headquartered in Madrid stated that ‘Chinese outbound and inbound tourism is projected to gain momentum in 2024, thanks to visa facilitation and increased air capacity.’
Furthermore, it was reported that international tourism receipts reached $1.4 trillion in 2023, amounting to 93 percent of the $1.5 trillion recorded in 2019.
