The ball is rolling forward for Wyndham's upcoming brand developed in partnership with lifestyle hotel maven Sam Nazarian and Grammy Award winner Marc Anthony.
22.05.2024 - 11:54 / traveldailynews.com / Zurab Pololikashvili / Theodore Koumelis
International tourist arrivals almost matched pre-pandemic figures in Q1 2024, reaching 97% with over 285 million travelers, signaling robust recovery across global travel sectors.
International tourist arrivals reached 97% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024. According to UN Tourism, more than 285 million tourists travelled internationally in January-March, about 20% more than the first quarter of 2023, underscoring the sector’s near-complete recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.
In 2023 international tourist arrivals recovered 89% of 2019 levels, while export revenues from tourism remained at 97% and direct tourism GDP reached the same levels as in 2019.
UN Tourism’s projection for 2024 points to a full recovery of international tourism with arrivals growing 2% above 2019 levels. In line with this, the newest data released by the UN specialized agency for tourism show that:
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The recovery of the sector is very welcome news for our economies and the livelihoods of millions. Yet it also recalls the need to ensure adequate tourism policies and destination management, aiming to advance sustainability and inclusion, while addressing the externalities and impact of the sector on resources and communities”.
By subregions, North Africa saw the strongest performance in Q1 2014 with 23% more international arrivals than before the pandemic, followed by Central America (+8%), the Caribbean and Western Europe (both +7%). Southern Mediterranean Europe exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 1%, while South America virtually reached 2019 levels. Northern Europe recovered 98% of pre-pandemic levels, while Subsaharan Africa and North America both recovered 95%.
According to available data, many destinations across the world continued to achieve strong results in Q1 2024, including Qatar (+177% versus Q1 2019), Albania (+121%), Saudi Arabia (+98%), Tanzania (+53%), Curaçao (+45%), Serbia (+43%), Turks and Caicos (+42%), Guatemala (+41%) and Bulgaria (+38%).
The robust performance of international tourism can also be seen in the UN Tourism Confidence Index which reached 130 points (on a scale of 0 to 200) for the period January-April, above the expectations (122) expressed for this period in mid-January.
International tourism receipts reached USD 1.5 trillion in 2023, meaning a complete recovery of pre-pandemic levels in nominal terms, but 97% in real terms, adjusting for inflation.
By regions, Europe generated the highest receipts in 2023, with destinations earning USD 660 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 7% in real terms. Receipts in the Middle East climbed 33% above 2019 levels. The Americas recovered 96% of its pre-pandemic earnings in
The ball is rolling forward for Wyndham's upcoming brand developed in partnership with lifestyle hotel maven Sam Nazarian and Grammy Award winner Marc Anthony.
At the UN Tourism conference, stakeholders discussed boosting sustainable tourism investment in the Middle East, emphasizing technology, innovation, and education as pivotal for sector growth.
Embark on an airborne journey to explore Qatar’s unforgettable landmarks
Airports globally prioritize a safe and sustainable air transport system.
Amsa Hospitality and Luxury Hotelschool Paris announce a strategic partnership to advance hospitality education in Saudi Arabia, enhancing service quality and employee training across the Kingdom.
Radisson Hotel Group inaugurates its 28th Saudi Arabian facility, Radisson Hotel & Residence Riyadh Olaya, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 tourism and economic initiatives.
Two new foodie destinations by RIKAS Hospitality Group on the premises of Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates add to the culinary variety at the iconic hotel in the heart of Dubai.
The Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) 2024, convening in Namibia, is poised to be a pivotal event, drawing over 50 countries’ leaders to discuss trends and investments in the hospitality sector. President Nangolo Mbumba is headlining.
British Airways will resume flights to Riyadh on November 4, 2024, boosting connectivity with four weekly flights operated by Boeing 787s.
Air Serbia is to open a new Premium Lounge at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (Terminal C10) by the end of this year.
Lufthansa introduces direct flights from Frankfurt to Rovaniemi, enhancing its Finnish route network and offering access to Lapland’s winter attractions.
Nujuma, the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Middle East, opens on Ummahat Island, offering luxury and secluded experiences in the Red Sea.