International tourism completed its full recovery from the Covid pandemic last year, with 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals recorded globally, latest estimates from UN Tourism show.
Its latest World Tourism Barometer indicates a 99% recovery from pre-Covid travel levels and an 11% increase on 2023 levels.
UN Tourism said it remains confident of continued growth: “Growth is expected to continue throughout 2025, driven by strong demand contributing to the socio-economic development of both mature and emerging destinations. This recalls our immense responsibility as a sector to accelerate transformation, placing people and planet at the center of the development of tourism.”
International tourist arrivals are expected to grow 3%-5% this year, compared to 2024. However, economic (inflation) and geopolitical (wars) headwinds continue to pose significant risks.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “In 2024, global tourism completed its recovery from the pandemic and, in many places, tourist arrivals and specially earnings are already higher than in 2019. Growth is expected to continue throughout 2025, driven by strong demand contributing to the socio-economic development of both mature and emerging destinations. This recalls our immense responsibility as a sector to accelerate transformation, placing people and planet at the center of the development of tourism.”
