International tourism reached 97% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024

• International arrivals (overnight visitors) reached 97% of 2019 levels in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting an almost complete recovery of pre- pandemic numbers.
• An estimated 285 million tourists travelled internationally in the first three months of 2024, about 20% more than in the same period of 2023. These results were boosted by continued strong demand, the opening of Asian markets, as well as by enhanced air connectivity and visa facilitation.
• The Middle East saw the strongest relative growth, with international arrivals exceeding by 36% pre- pandemic levels in Q1 2024. Europe exceeded pre- pandemic levels for the first time in a quarter (+1% from Q1 2019).
• Africa welcomed 5% more arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 than in Q1 2019, while the Americas practically reached pre-pandemic numbers (99%).
• Arrivals in Asia and the Pacific recovered 82% of pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2024, after recovering 65% in 2023.
• By subregions, North Africa saw the strongest performance with 23% more international arrivals in Q1 2024 than before the pandemic, followed by Central America (+15%), the Caribbean and Western Europe (both +7%).
• Total export revenues from international tourism, including both receipts and passenger transport, reached USD 1.7 trillion in 2023, about 96% of pre- pandemic levels in real terms (i.e. excluding inflation).
• Tourism direct GDP recovered pre-pandemic levels in 2023, reaching an estimated USD 3.3 trillion, equivalent to 3% of global GDP.
• The latest UN Tourism Confidence Index shows positive prospects for the period May-August 2024, though economic and geopolitical headwinds continue to pose significant challenges to the complete recovery of international tourism and confidence levels.

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