Global Tourism Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2024: UN Report
Global tourism has fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals recorded in 2024, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This marks an 11% increase over the 1.3 billion arrivals in 2023, reaching figures last seen in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted global travel.
The UNWTO, based in Madrid, attributes this recovery to “robust” demand from major markets and the resurgence of tourism in Asia, which has seen significant growth following pandemic restrictions. Global tourism receipts climbed to $1.6 trillion in 2024, a 3% increase from 2023 and 4% higher than 2019 when adjusted for inflation and currency fluctuations.
Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General, stated: “In 2024, global tourism completed its recovery from the pandemic, with many destinations surpassing pre-2019 levels in arrivals and earnings. Strong demand is expected to drive further growth in 2025, fostering socio-economic development in both established and emerging destinations.”
