UNWTO: International tourism to recover to near 90% of pre-COVID level by year end
Latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows:
- 22% more international visitors to world destinations in 3Q2023 vs. 3Q2022
- International arrivals 91% of pre-COVID in 3Q2023, 92% in July
- Tourism overall reached 87% of pre-COVID in January-September 2023
- International tourist spend could reach $1.4 trillion in 2023 - 93% of 2019 figure
Region performance January-September 2023:
- Middle East: Arrivals 20% above 2019 - the only region with growth vs. 2019 - resulting from visa facilitation, development of new destinations, infrastructure investments and large events.
- Europe: Arrivals at 94% of pre-COVID supported by strong intra-regional and US demand
- Africa: 92% of pre-COVID
- Americas: 88% of 2019 numbers driven by strong US demand particularly for Caribbean destinations
- Asia-Pacific: 62% of pre-COVID because of slower reopening, but with sub-region differences: South Asia at 95% of 2019 vs. North-East Asia (China-Korea-Japan) at only about 50%.
International tourism spend was strong, particularly from Germany (+13%) and US (+11%) vs. 2019.
Based on data from IATA and STR, air passenger numbers and tourist accommodation occupancy recovered strongly.
Comment: The UNWTO report kind of slides over China's contribution to obstacles to recovery of world tourism by being slow to issue passports and visas.
