Global tourism has reached its peak level of 2019.

The Recovery of Global Tourism Post-Covid

After four years of post-Covid recovery, global tourism reached its 2019 record level in 2024, particularly in Europe and Asia, despite ongoing international tensions. According to a report released on Monday, January 20th by UN Tourism (formerly known as the World Tourism Organization), 1.4 billion tourists traveled internationally last year, marking an 11% increase from 2023. This figure matches that of 2019, the last year before the pandemic. Alongside this growth came a significant rise in tourism revenues, reaching $1.6 trillion, which is a 3% increase from 2023 and a 4% increase from 2019 when factoring in inflation and exchange rate fluctuations.

Regional Trends

Europe, the world’s top tourist destination, welcomed 747 million international arrivals thanks to strong intra-regional demand. This represents a 5% increase from 2023 and a 1% increase from 2019. Other regions also saw substantial growth in international travelers, with the Middle East up by 32%, North Africa by 22%, and Central America by 17%. The Asia-Pacific region experienced the largest annual increase in visitor numbers in 2024 at 33%, driven by the lifting of all health restrictions in China. However, international tourist arrivals in the region (316 million) remained below pre-pandemic levels.

Challenges and Future Outlook

China, once the leading source of international tourists globally, has seen a revival in the tourism sector, with expectations of a 3-5% increase in international travel in 2025 compared to 2024. This outlook is contingent on favorable economic conditions, decreasing inflation, and stable geopolitical situations. Despite this positive trajectory, the industry continues to face numerous challenges, including overcrowding and price surges in popular tourist destinations like Japan and Spain. Concerns about the environmental impact of mass tourism are also growing, with calls to reduce tourist flows to address increasing greenhouse gas emissions related to the industry.

Through localized movements advocating for sustainable tourism practices, the focus is shifting towards placing people and the environment at the forefront of tourism development. While tackling these issues, UN Tourism emphasizes the sector’s immense responsibility towards global sustainability and environmental conservation.