Tourism Watch Quarterly Report: Q1 2024

Global Overview: In the first quarter of 2024, tourism arrivals grew 20 percent compared to 2023, boosted by improvements in air connectivity, visa facilitation, and decreasing airfares as well as a continuing post-pandemic recovery. Tourism contributed an estimated 3 percent to global gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, reaching pre-pandemic levels for the first time. Travel prospects remain promising, with a full recovery expected this year despite macroeconomic, geopolitical, and climate-related headwinds.

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Regional Overview: The East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region continues to drive global growth as it catches up from a slow pandemic recovery. All regions have experienced double-digit year-on-year (y/y) growth in estimated aviation passenger arrivals other than Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE), which registered a 7 percent y/y increase. This includes the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where overall growth remains strong amidst an ongoing conflict.

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Special Policy Insert: Applying a circular economy approach to tourism can help mitigate its environmental impacts, such as increased waste and water and power shortages. The insert highlights tools and examples for incorporating circular economy into the sector, including into World Bank projects.