TEHRAN - The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has forecasted a return to pre-pandemic international tourism levels by the end of 2024.

According to the inaugural UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of the year, released on Friday, an estimated 1.3 billion international travelers embarked on journeys in 2023, marking a substantial 88 percent recovery from the pre-pandemic era.

The report highlights a “stronger recovery of Asian markets” as a pivotal factor, coupled with a simultaneous increase in airline connections, leading experts to predict a complete rebound in global tourism by the close of 2024.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commented on the resilience and swift recovery of the tourism sector, stating, “The latest UNWTO data underscores tourism’s resilience and rapid recovery, with pre-pandemic numbers expected by the end of 2024.”

He emphasized the significant impact of this rebound on economies, job creation, overall growth, and opportunities for communities worldwide. Pololikashvili also stressed the imperative need for advancing sustainability and inclusion in the development of tourism.

The Madrid-based organization shed light on the anticipated acceleration of Chinese outbound and inbound tourism in 2024, attributing it to eased visa procedures and enhanced air capacity. This development is expected to contribute significantly to the overall recovery of the global tourism industry.

Furthermore, the UNWTO report revealed that international tourism receipts reached a staggering 1.4 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023, representing an impressive 93 percent of the 1.5 trillion dollars recorded in 2019. This financial resurgence underscores the industry’s remarkable capacity to bounce back and hints at a positive trajectory for the years ahead.

As the world looks forward to the revitalization of the tourism sector, the UNWTO’s findings provide optimism for economic revitalization, job opportunities, and renewed growth on a global scale. The journey towards a post-pandemic world seems to be gaining momentum, offering a beacon of hope for the tourism industry and the communities it touches.

AFM