UN Tourism reports 2024 travel resurgence as volumes reach 99% of pre-pandemic levels

INTERNATIONAL. Tourism nearly returned to pre-pandemic strength in 2024, with 1.4 billion international travellers recorded by UN Tourism’s latest World Tourism Barometer. This is 99% of pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a 140 million increase from 2023. 

UN Tourism attributed this growth to increased post-pandemic demand, strong performance from key source markets and the recovery of destinations in Asia Pacific. 

The Middle East (95 million arrivals) remained the strongest-performing region when compared to 2019, with international arrivals +32% above pre-pandemic levels in 2024, and +1% higher compared to 2023. 

Africa (74 million) welcomed +7% more arrivals than in 2019, and +12% more than in 2023. 

Europe witnessed 747 million international arrivals in 2024 (+1% above 2019 levels and +5% over 2023) supported by strong intraregional demand.  

All European subregions surpassed pre-pandemic levels, except for Central and Eastern Europe where many destinations continue to face challenges related to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

The Americas (213 million) recovered 97% of pre-pandemic arrivals (-3% over 2019), with the Caribbean and Central America already exceeding 2019 levels. Compared to 2023, the region saw +7% growth. 

Asia Pacific recorded 316 million international arrivals in 2024, reaching 87% of pre-pandemic levels, up from 66% at the end of 2023. This represents a +33% growth over the year, with 78 million more arrivals than in 2023. 

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “In 2024, global tourism completed its recovery from the pandemic and, in many places, tourist arrivals and especially earnings are already higher than in 2019.  

“Growth is expected to continue throughout 2025, driven by strong demand contributing to the socio-economic development of both mature and emerging destinations.  

“This recalls our immense responsibility as a sector to accelerate transformation, placing people and planet at the centre of the development of tourism.” 

‘Balancing growth and sustainability will be critical in 2025’ 

According to the UN Tourism Tracker, both international air capacity and air traffic virtually recovered pre-pandemic levels through October 2024 (IATA).  

Global occupancy rates for accommodation reached 66% in November, slightly below 69% in November 2023 (based on STR data). 

International tourism receipts saw steady growth in 2024, following a near return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023, adjusted for inflation and exchange rates. Total receipts reached US$1.6 trillion, up +3% from 2023 and +4% from 2019.  

As growth stabilises, average spending per international arrival has decreased from nearly US$1,400 in 2020 and 2021 to around US$1,100 in 2024, still above the pre-pandemic average of US$1,000. 

UN Tourism noted: “International tourist arrivals are expected to grow +3% to +5% in 2025 compared to 2024, assuming a continued recovery of Asia Pacific and solid growth in most other regions.  

“This initial projection assumes global economic conditions remain favourable, inflation continues to recede, and geopolitical conflicts do not escalate. 

“Balancing growth and sustainability will be critical in 2025, as reflected by two major trends identified by the Panel of Experts: the search for sustainable practices and the discovery of lesser-known destinations.” 

Images & infographics courtesy of UN Tourism