UN Tourism Barometer
The UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer monitors short-term tourism trends on a regular basis to provide global tourism stakeholders with up-to-date analysis on international tourism.
The report is published four times a year and includes an analysis of the latest data on tourism destinations (inbound tourism) and source markets (outbound tourism). The Barometer also includes a Confidence Index based on the UN Tourism Panel of Tourism Experts survey, which provides an evaluation of recent performance and short-term prospects on international tourism.
UN Tourism Member States, Associate Members and Affiliate Members receive the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer as a part of member's service.
International tourist arrivals hit 96% of pre-pandemic levels in January-July 2024
An estimated 790 million tourists travelled internationally in the first seven months of 2024, about 11% more than in 2023, though 4% less than in 2019. Results were driven by strong demand across most regions, the ongoing recovery of Asia Pacific destinations, increased air connectivity and visa facilitation.
- An estimated 790 million tourists travelled internationally in the first seven months of 2024, about 11% more than in 2023, though 4% less than in 2019.
- Results were driven by strong demand across most regions, the ongoing recovery of Asia Pacific destinations, increased air connectivity and visa facilitation.
- The Middle East remained the strongest-growing region, with international arrivals climbing 26% above 2019 levels. Africa welcomed 7% more tourists than in the same months of 2019.
- Europe and the Americas recovered 96% and 97% of their pre-pandemic arrival numbers during the first seven months of 2024, while Asia and the Pacific recorded 82% of 2019 levels.
- By subregions, North Africa saw the strongest performance with 21% more international arrivals in the first seven months of 2024 than before the pandemic, followed by Central America (+19%), the Caribbean and Southern and Mediterranean Europe (both +9%).
- Revised data for 2023 shows export revenues from international tourism reaching USD 1.8 trillion (including receipts and passenger transport), virtually the same as before the pandemic (-1% in real terms compared to 2019). Tourism direct GDP also recovered pre-pandemic levels in 2023, reaching an estimated USD 3.4 trillion, equivalent to 3% of global GDP.
- The UN Tourism Confidence Index shows positive expectations for the last part of the year, at 120 points for September-December 2024, though below the prospects for May-August, which stood at 130 (on a scale of 0 to 200, where 100 reflects equal expected performance).
- The UN Panel of Tourism Experts pointed to inflation in travel and tourism, namely high transport and accommodation prices, as the main challenge the tourism sector is currently facing.
Tourism Data
International Tourist Arrivals, World and Regions
Panel Evaluation and Prospects
What are the main factors weighing on the recovery of international tourism?
When do you expect international tourism to return to pre-pandemic 2019 levels in your country?
Related links:
- International Tourist Arrivals hit 96% of pre-pandemic levels through July 2024
- World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism | Volume 22 • Issue 3 • September 2024 (EXCERPT)
- World Tourism Barometer | PPT Version | Volume 22 • Issue 2 • May 2024
- China recovers its position as top spender in 2023 as Asia and the Pacific reopens to tourism
- UNWTO World Tourism Barometer (English version)
- The impact of the Russian offensive on Ukraine on international Tourism
- The Economic Contribution of Tourism and the Impact of COVID-19
- UN Tourism Data Dashboard
- Impact of COVID-19 and tourism