KEY TAKEAWAYS

• International tourism has reached 87 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and is projected to approach 90 per cent by the end of 2023.
• The Middle East was the only region in the world that exceeded 2019 levels, with a 20 per cent increase in arrivals.
• July of this year tops as the most successful month, achieving 92 per cent of pre-pandemic international arrivals.

During this period, global tourism reached 87 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, and it is projected to approach nearly 90 per cent by the end of this year, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

The latest data by UNWTO indicates that the Middle East, Europe and Africa experienced the best recovery compared to the 2019 levels.

Moreover, the Middle East stands as the only region in the world to exceed the 2019 levels, registering arrivals 20 per cent higher than pre-pandemic, in the first nine months of the year.

Europe made up 56 per cent of the global total, welcoming 550 million tourists and marking 94 per cent of the pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, Africa achieved a recovery of 92 per cent in pre-pandemic visitor numbers.

Within the same period, America reached 88 per cent of the pre-pandemic levels, and Asia and the Pacific reached 62 per cent.

According to UNWTO, July of this year marked the most successful month since the pandemic’s onset, with international arrivals reaching 92 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

The latest UNWTO data shows that international tourism has almost completely recovered from the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19 with many destinations reaching or even exceeding pre-pandemic arrivals and receipts. This is critical for destinations, businesses, and communities where the sector is a major lifeline.

Additionally, UNWTO notes that international tourism may reach €1.28 trillion (USD 1.4 trillion) revenue in 2023, approximately 93 per cent of the €1.37 trillion (USD 1.5 trillion) earned by destinations in 2019.

Furthermore, UNWTO highlights a substantial demand for outbound travel from several major source markets during this period, with many surpassing 2019 levels.

Germany and the United States spent 13 per cent and 11 per cent more, respectively on outbound travel than in the same nine months of 2019, while Italy spent 16 per cent more through August.

A significant recovery was specifically seen in air passenger numbers and tourist accommodation occupancy levels.

According to UNWTO projections, international tourism may reach a complete recovery of pre-pandemic levels by 2024, despite economic challenges like high inflation, weakened global output, and significant geopolitical tensions and conflicts.