The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) announced Tuesday that 1.4 billion people traveled internationally in 2024, marking a significant recovery for global tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the sector’s worst crisis in 2020-2021.
According to the Madrid-based UNWTO, this represents an 11% increase which refers to approximately 140 million more travelers compared to the previous year, bringing international tourism figures back to pre-pandemic levels.
The largest growth in visitor numbers compared to 2019 was observed in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
The Middle East saw 95 million visitors, reflecting a 32% increase from 2019, Africa recorded 74 million visitors, marking a 7% rise, and Europe welcomed 747 million visitors, showing 1% growth.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili noted that global tourism completed its post-pandemic recovery in 2024, with many destinations surpassing 2019 levels in both tourist arrivals and revenue.
He added that strong demand is expected to drive further growth in 2025.
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Global tourism has been steadily recovering since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel worldwide. As restrictions eased, pent-up demand for travel led to a surge in tourism. Countries with efficient vaccination programs and robust safety measures were among the first to rebound, welcoming tourists eager to explore again.
Key factors driving the recovery include increased domestic tourism, the rise of remote work enabling “workcations,” and innovative measures like digital health passes and contactless services. Popular destinations adapted by prioritizing sustainability, focusing on smaller crowds and eco-friendly practices.
Challenges remain, such as fluctuating traveler confidence, rising costs, and staffing shortages. However, the industry has shown resilience, and many regions are nearing or even surpassing pre-pandemic levels of tourism, signaling a promising path forward for global travel.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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