TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
In spite of several economic, geopolitical and climate challenges, Middle East has emerged as one of the strongest regions in terms of increase in visitor numbers during the first nine months of 2024, recording 29 per cent growth vis-à-vis the 2019 numbers. Some key initiatives, including ease of visa and improved connectivity, have contributed to the region’s success.
TT Bureau
According to the latest report shared by UN Tourism, around 1.1 billion tourists travelled internationally in the first nine months of 2024, as the global tourism sector recovered 98 per cent of the pre-pandemic levels. Despite economic, geopolitical and climate challenges, a full recovery from the biggest crisis in the sector’s history is expected by the year end, predicted the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer report.
The Middle East (+29 per cent compared to 2019) continued to enjoy record growth during the nine-month period, while Europe (+1 per cent) and Africa (+6 per cent) also exceeded the 2019 levels. The Americas recovered 97 per cent of its pre-pandemic arrivals (-3 per cent over 2019). Asia and the Pacific reached 85 per cent of 2019 levels as compared to a 66 per cent recovery in 2023. Asia and the Pacific has experienced a gradual though uneven rebound in arrivals since the region reopened to international travel in 2023. The summer season in the Northern Hemisphere was strong, with arrivals worldwide reaching 99 per cent of the pre-pandemic values in Q3 2024. A total of 60 out of 111 destinations surpassed the 2019 arrival numbers in the first 8-9 months of 2024. Some of the strongest performers in arrivals during this period were Qatar (+141 per cent versus 2019) where arrivals more than doubled, Albania (+77 per cent), Saudi Arabia (+61 per cent), Curaçao (+48 per cent), Tanzania (+43 per cent), Colombia and Andorra (both +36 per cent).
Four years after the COVID-19 outbreak, which brought global tourism to a standstill, the report reflects the sector’s remarkable recovery, with most regions already exceeding the 2019 arrival numbers between January and September 2024. The report also shows outstanding results in terms of international tourism receipts, with most destinations with available data posting double-digit growth compared to 2019.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UN Tourism, said: “The strong growth seen in tourism receipts is excellent news for economies around the world. The fact that visitor spending is growing even stronger than arrivals has a direct impact on millions of jobs and small businesses and contributes decisively to the balance of payments and tax revenues of many economies.”
Tourism receipts show extraordinary growth
A total of 35 out of 43 countries with available data on receipts exceeded the pre-pandemic values in the first 8-9 months of 2024, many reporting double-digit growth compared to 2019 (in local currencies), well above inflation in most cases.
Challenges remain
Despite the generally strong results, several economic, geopolitical and climate challenges remain. The tourism sector is still facing inflation, resulting in higher transport and accommodation prices, as well as volatile oil prices. Major conflicts continue to impact consumer confidence, while extreme weather events are also critical challenges for tourism performance.
