Resilient growth caps strong year for tourism recovery
GLOBAL OVERVIEW: 2023 ended with a 34 percent growth in international tourists compared to 2022, reaching 88 percent of 2019 levels as travel receipts fuel growth in services trade.
REGIONAL OVERVIEW: The overall sector proved resilient to shocks, with the Middle East conflict denting but not derailing regional and sectoral growth, and the East Asia and Pacific region continuing to close its recovery gap with other regions.
TOURISM OUTLOOK: For the first time since the pandemic, the sector is expected to exceed 2019 arrivals in 2024. However, localized macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges such as conflict, elections, and climate-related shocks could negatively affect specific destinations.
SPECIAL POLICY INSERT: The Middle East conflict resulted in a year-end slowdown in tourism to the Middle East and North Africa, which slowed an otherwise exceptional year for the region. Neighboring countries not directly affected by the conflict are showing signs of recovery in early 2024.
Contents:
Global Overview
Regional Overview
Tourism Outlook
Effects of the Middle East Conflict on Tourism
Methodological Notes
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Resilient growth caps strong year for tourism recovery
GLOBAL OVERVIEW: 2023 ended with a 34 percent growth in international tourists compared to 2022, reaching 88 percent of 2019 levels as travel receipts fuel growth in services trade.
REGIONAL OVERVIEW: The overall sector proved resilient to shocks, with the Middle East conflict denting but not derailing regional and sectoral growth, and the East Asia and Pacific region continuing to close its recovery gap with other regions.
TOURISM OUTLOOK: For the first time since the pandemic, the sector is expected to exceed 2019 arrivals in 2024. However, localized macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges such as conflict, elections, and climate-related shocks could negatively affect specific destinations.
SPECIAL POLICY INSERT: The Middle East conflict resulted in a year-end slowdown in tourism to the Middle East and North Africa, which slowed an otherwise exceptional year for the region. Neighboring countries not directly affected by the conflict are showing signs of recovery in early 2024.
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