According to the UN World Tourism Organization's most recent World Tourism Barometer, international visitor arrivals increased by 20% yearly to reach 97% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Over 285 million tourists visited other countries between January and March of this year, up 20% from the previous year, per UN.
The percentage of tourist-related export earnings stayed at 97%, although the GDP of direct tourism increased to 2019 levels.
Across regions
From 65% in the first quarter of 2023 to 82% in the first three months of this year, the Asia and Pacific area saw a significant rise in foreign arrivals.
Thanks to strong intra-regional demand, Europe–the world's largest travel destination region–reached pre-virus levels in a quarter for the first time, with 120 million foreign visitors in the first three months of the year.
The Middle East saw significant development as well, gaining a 36% increase from pre-pandemic levels from foreign travels.
In the Americas, foreign tourists hit 99 percent of 2019 levels, while Africa experienced a 5% growth from the same period in 2023.
Expect a full recovery
According to the UN's specialized office for tourism, foreign travel will fully rebound in 2024, with arrivals surpassing 2% of the previous 2019 levels.
"The recovery of the sector is very welcome news for our economies and the livelihoods of millions," UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said.
“Yet it also recalls the need to ensure adequate tourism policies and destination management, aiming to advance sustainability and inclusion, while addressing the externalities and impact of the sector on resources and communities," he added.
However, the UN Tourism Panel of Experts states that geopolitical and economic obstacles still provide serious obstacles to global travel and confidence.
