Page 4 - ASUTIL 2024 Edition

INSIDER

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

International tourist arrivals reached
97% of pre-pandemic levels in the first
quarter of 2024. According to UN Tourism,
more than 285 million tourists traveled
internationally in January-March, about
20% more than the first quarter of 2023,
underscoring the sector’s near-complete
recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.
In 2023 international tourist arrivals
recovered 89% of 2019 levels and export
revenues from tourism rose to 96% of 2019
levels. Direct tourism GDP reached the
same levels as in 2019.
UN Tourism’s projection for 2024
points to a full recovery of international
tourism with arrivals growing 2% above
2019 levels.
The Middle East saw the strongest
relative growth, with international arrivals
exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 36%
in Q1 2024, or 4% above Q1 2023. This
follows an extraordinary performance in recovered 95%. Receipts
2023, when the Middle East became the According to available data, many International tourism receipts reached
first world region to recover pre-pandemic destinations across the world continued US$1.5 trillion in 2023, meaning a
numbers (+22%). to achieve strong results in Q1 2024, complete recovery of pre-pandemic levels
Europe, the world’s largest destination including Qatar (+177% versus Q1 2019), in nominal terms, but 97% in real terms,
region, exceeded pre-pandemic levels in Albania (+121%), Saudi Arabia (+98%), adjusting for inflation.
a quarter for the first time (+1% from Q1 El Salvador (+90%), Tanzania (+53%), By regions, Europe generated the
2019). The region recorded 120 million Curaçao (+45%), Serbia (+43%), Turks and highest receipts in 2023, with destinations
international tourists in the first three Caicos (+42%), Guatemala (+41%) and earning US$660 billion, exceeding pre-
months of the year, backed by robust intra- Bulgaria (+38%). pandemic levels by 7% in real terms.
regional demand. The robust performance of Receipts in the Middle East climbed 33%
Africa welcomed 5% more arrivals in international tourism can also be seen in above 2019 levels. The Americas recovered
the first quarter of 2024 than in Q1 2019, the UN Tourism Confidence Index which 96% of its pre-pandemic earnings in 2023
and 13% more than in Q1 2023. reached 130 points (on a scale of 0 to 200) and Africa 95%. Asia and the Pacific
The Americas practically recovered for the period January-April, above the earned 78% of its pre-crisis receipts, a
pre-pandemic numbers this first quarter, expectations (122) expressed for this period remarkable result when compared to its
with arrivals reaching 99% of 2019 levels. in mid-January. 65% recovery in arrivals last year.
International tourism is experiencing
a rapid recovery in Asia and the Pacific
where arrivals reached 82% of pre-
pandemic levels in Q1 2024, after Editor/Publisher: Lois R. Pasternak
recovering 65% in the year 2023. In Memoriam: Paul A. Pasternak
Executive Editor: Michael Pasternak
By sub-regions, North Africa saw the Editorial Contributors: John Gallagher
strongest performance in Q1 2024 with Production Coordinator & Designer: Chris Hetzer
23% more international arrivals than before Design and Production: It’s About Time, Inc.
the pandemic, followed by Central America Webmaster: Michael Pasternak
(+15%), the Caribbean and Western Europe Printing by The Printer’s Printer. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
This publication is a special supplement of Travel Markets Insider, published
(both +7%). by Pasternak Communications, Inc., 255 NE 3rd Ave No. 312, Delray Beach,
Southern Mediterranean Europe FL. 33444 USA. www.travelmarketsinsider.net
exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 1%, E-mail: editor@travelmarketsinsider.net
Tel (561) 908-2119
while South America virtually reached Travel Markets Insider is a weekly newsletter distributed 50 times a year
2019 levels. Northern Europe recovered via e-mail, on a subscription basis only.
98% of pre-pandemic levels, while Sub- The annual subscription is US$200. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved.
© 2024 by Pasternak Communications, Inc.
saharan Africa and North America both

ASUTIL Special Issue June 2024 4

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