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 tourism on track for full recovery by the end of the year with spending growing faster than arrivals
International arrivals reached 98% of 2019 levels in January-September 2024 (-2% over same period of 2019). International tourism receipts saw extraordinary growth, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in most destinations.
- International arrivals reached 98% of 2019 levels in January-September 2024 (-2% over same period of 2019) following a strong Northern Hemisphere summer season.
- An estimated 1.1 billion international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) were recorded in the January-September 2024, about 11% more than in the same period of 2023.
- Results were driven by strong post-pandemic demand in Europe and robust performance from large source markets globally, as well as the ongoing recovery of destinations in Asia and the Pacific. Increased air connectivity and visa facilitation also supported international travel.
- Most destinations reporting monthly data continued to enjoy strong results in January-September 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with a majority exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
- The Middle East remained the strongest-growing region, with international arrivals climbing 29% above 2019 levels. Africa welcomed 6% more tourists than in January-September 2024 the same months of 2019. Arrivals in Europe exceeded by 1% pre-pandemic arrivals, while the Americas recorded 97% of 2019 levels and Asia and the Pacific 85%.
- By subregions, North Africa and Central America saw the strongest performance in January-September 2024, with 18% and 16% more international arrivals than before the pandemic respectively.
- International tourism receipts have seen extraordinary growth following an already strong 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in most destinations.
- The majority of destinations reporting data has seen faster growth in receipts than in arrivals.
- Data on international tourism expenditure reflects the same trend, especially among large source markets such as Germany (+35% compared to 2019), the United States (+33%) and France (+11%).
- After four years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, international tourist arrivals are expected to reach 2019 levels by the end of 2024, though still in a challenging economic and geopolitical context.
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:
- Global tourism set for full recovery by end of the year with spending growing faster than arrivals
- World Tourism Barometer: Volume 22 • Issue 4 • November 2024 (EXCERPT)
- World Tourism Barometer (PPT version)
- World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism | Volume 22 • Issue 3 • September 2024 (EXCERPT)
- China recovers its position as top spender in 2023 as Asia and the Pacific reopens to tourism
- UN Tourism 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