Tourexpi
International tourism makes 63 percent of pre-virus level in 2022
International tourism
made 63% of its pre-virus level in 2022 despite doubling from a year ago,
according to the UN tourism agency.
A total of 917
million tourists traveled internationally last year, up 101.6% from the
previous year, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) data showed on Tuesday.
All regions posted a
rise in international tourist figures, with the Middle East enjoying the
largest improvement, reaching 83% of the pre-COVID levels.
Tourist arrivals to
the region jumped 144.4% year-on-year in 2022 thanks to hosting events such as
Expo 2020 in Dubai and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, as well as a highly
attended Muslim Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
With 585 million
tourist arrivals in 2022, Europe made 80% of its pre-virus level.
Africa and the
Americas both recovered nearly 65% of their pre-virus visitors, while Asia and
the Pacific made only 23% due to COVID-related mobility restrictions.
International tourist
arrivals are projected to reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels this year,
with Europe and the Middle East expected to reach those levels.
While the UNWTO
expects China's lifting COVID-19 restrictions would benefit Asian destinations,
in particular in the short run depending on the availability and cost of air
travel, visa regulations and COVID-related restrictions in the destinations.
It recalled that in
mid-January a total of 32 countries imposed specific travel restrictions
related to travel from China, mostly in Asia and Europe.
Solid travel demand
from the US with the backing of a strong greenback is projected to continue
boosting travel flows to Europe.
Image Credit: © AA
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