Volume 21 o Issue 1 o January 2023 EXCERPT
International tourism recovered 63% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022, with Europe
and Middle East in the lead
o International tourism saw stronger than expected o The UNWTO Panel of Experts survey indicates that
results in 2022, backed by large pent-up demand72% of respondents expect better performance in
and the lifting or relaxation of travel restrictions in a 2023. However, most experts (65%) also believe
large number of countries. international tourism will not return to 2019 levels
until 2024 or later.
o Over 900 million tourists travelled internationally in
2022, double those in 2021 though still 37% fewer o Based on UNWTO’s scenarios for 2023,
than in 2019. international tourist arrivals could reach 80% to 95%
of pre-pandemic levels this year, with Europe and
o International tourism recovered 63% of pre-
the Middle East expected to reach those levels.
pandemic levels, in line with UNWTO’s scenarios
However, important risks remain ahead, especially
published in May 2022.
economic and geopolitical.
o Europe, the world’s largest destination region,
o Tourists are expected to increasingly seek value for
recorded 585 million arrivals in 2022 to reach nearly
money and travel close to home in response to the
80% of pre-pandemic levels (-21% over 2019). The
challenging economic environment.
Middle East enjoyed the strongest relative increase
across regions in 2022 with arrivals climbing to 83%
of pre-pandemic numbers (-17% versus 2019).
International Tourist Arrivals (% change over 2019)
o Africa and the Americas both recovered about 65%
0
of its pre-pandemic visitors, while Asia and the
-102020 2021* Jan.-Dec. 2022*
Pacific reached only 23%, due to stronger
-20
pandemic-related restrictions.-17
-30-21
o By subregions, Western Europe (87%) and the
-40-37-35 -35
Caribbean (84%) came closest to their pre- -50
pandemic levels.-60
-59
-70 -63
o-66
The year 2022 saw a strong rebound in tourism-69 -68-68
-72 -72 -73
spending, resulting in the recovery of pre-pandemic -80-77 -73
-84
levels in income across many destinations. -90
-100-93
o
Looking ahead, international tourism is set to World Europe Asia and Americas Africa Middle
consolidate its recovery in 2023, backed by pent-upthe Pacific East
demand, particularly from Asia and the Pacific as
Source: UNWTO* Provisional data
destinations and markets open up
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Volume 21 o Issue 1 o January 2023EXCERPT
About the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer
The UNWTO World Tourism Barometer is a publication of the
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) that monitors short-
term tourism trends on a regular basis to provide global
tourism stakeholders with up-to-date analysis on
international tourism.
The information is updated several times a year and includes
an analysis of the latest data on tourism destinations
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United (inbound tourism) and source markets (outbound tourism).
Nations specialized agency mandated with the promotion of The Barometer also includes three times a year a Confidence
responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. Index based on the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts
UNWTO’s membership includes 160 countries, 6 Associate survey, which provides an evaluation of recent performance
Members, two Permanent Observers, and over 500 Affiliate and short-term prospects on international tourism.
Members representing the private sector, educational The UNWTO Secretariat wishes to express its gratitude to
institutions, tourism associations and local tourism those who have contributed to the production of this UNWTO
authorities. World Tourism Barometer, in particular to institutions that
Copyright (c) 2022 World Tourism Organization supplied data, and to the members of the UNWTO Panel of
C/ Poeta Joan Maragall 42, 28020 Madrid, SpainTourism Experts for their valuable feedback and analysis.
UNWTO World Tourism BarometerThis report was prepared by the UNWTO Tourism Market
ISSN: 1728-9246 Intelligence and Competitiveness Department, under the
supervision of Sandra Carv~ao, Director of the Department.
Published and printed by the World Tourism Organization, Authors include (in alphabetical order): Fernando Alonso,
Madrid, Spain - First printing: 2022 (version 17/01/23)
Michel Julian and Javier Ruescas. Data was compiled from
All rights reserved. the Tourism Market Intelligence Database and the Tourism
The designations employed and the presentation of material Statistics Database based on official country sources.
in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinions For more information including copies of previous issues,
whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the World please visit: e-unwto/loi/wtobarometereng.
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mechanical, including photocopying, microfilm, scanning,
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EXCERPTVolume 21 o Issue 1 o January 2023
Inbound tourism
International tourism grew 102% in 2022, but remained 37% below 2019
o International tourism saw stronger than expected o Africa and the Americas both recovered about 65%
results in 2022, backed by large pent-up demandof its pre-pandemic visitors, while Asia and the
and the easing of travel restrictions in a large Pacific reached only 23%, due to stronger
number of countries (116 destinations had no pandemic-related restrictions. Asia, which
COVID-19 travel restrictions in December 2022,accounted for 25% of the world’s international
according to the UNWTO/IATA Destination Travel – tourists in 2019 represented only 9% in 2022.
Easy Travel).
o By subregions, Western Europe (87%) and the
o International tourism recovered 63% of pre- Caribbean (84%) came closest to their 2019 levels.
pandemic levels, in line with UNWTO’s scenariosDestinations reporting arrivals above pre-pandemic
published in May 2022.levels in the first ten to twelve months include US
Virgin Islands (+27%), Albania (+17%), Honduras
o According