International tourism is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, with 96% of 2019’s numbers reported in the first seven months of 2024.
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, 790 million people traveled worldwide during this period. This represents an 11% increase from 2023 and just a 4% shortfall compared to 2019.
Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, said this recovery indicates international tourism is on track for full recovery. He pointed out the sector’s resilience despite challenges like economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
The rebound, he noted, was driven by strong demand for international travel, better air connectivity, and relaxed visa rules.
The first quarter of 2024 saw especially strong growth, although the pace slowed in the second quarter. The data aligns with earlier predictions that international tourism will fully recover by the end of the year.
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