The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is predicting a complete post-pandemic tourism recovery this year, with international tourism arrivals to exceed 2019 numbers by 10 percent.
“In 2023, international tourism ended at 88 percent of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion international travelers,” the organization said, adding that it contributed $3.3 trillion to the global economy.
“Increased global air connectivity and a strong recovery of Asian markets will allow a full rebound of tourism activities worldwide this year, even though geopolitical instability in the Middle East and elsewhere constitutes a risk for the industry as it affects would-be traveler’s confidence,” the UNWTO said.
It is predicting that the China market “will soar in 2024, after the government allowed visa-free travel for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia until 30 November 2024.
“In 2023, travel demand in Europe and Africa almost reached pre-pandemic levels and surpassed them in the Middle East,” UNWTO said.
Some destinations however, including the “Mediterranean Europe, the Caribbean and the Central American and North African sub-regions,” surpassed 2019 tourism arrivals numbers, the organization said.
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