Global Tourism Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2024: UN Report

Global tourism has fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals recorded in 2024, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

This marks an 11% increase over the 1.3 billion arrivals in 2023, reaching figures last seen in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted global travel.

Asia and the Pacific experienced a 33% rise in arrivals, reaching 316 million visitors. Despite this growth, the region is yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, achieving 87% of 2019 figures.

El Salvador, benefiting from significant improvements in public safety, saw an 81% increase in arrivals compared to 2019, while Morocco and Japan broke tourism records in 2024.

The surge in tourism has raised concerns about overcrowding in popular destinations. Authorities in cities like Venice have implemented measures to limit visitor numbers, including entry fees for day-trippers. Similarly, Japan has introduced caps on daily hiker numbers at Mount Fuji, and Amsterdam has reduced cruise ship arrivals to ease pressure on local infrastructure.

Looking ahead to 2025, the UNWTO predicts a 3-5% increase in international arrivals, driven by ongoing recovery in Asia, lower inflation, and stable geopolitical conditions. However, challenges such as high transportation and accommodation costs, volatile oil prices, and workforce shortages remain significant hurdles for the sector.

Tourism continues to play a pivotal role in global economic recovery. According to the UNWTO Tourism Recovery Tracker, sustainable practices and people-centric policies are critical for maintaining growth while addressing environmental and social challenges in the sector.