International tourism in 7 months of 2022 recovered by only 57% of the previous level. This is even though international arrivals almost tripled between January and July 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, according to the latest ‘tourism barometer’ from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Europe is the world leader in the number of tourist earnings
UNWTO submitted a report on the development of international tourism in January-July 2022. According to the estimates of the industry organization, 474 million tourist trips took place during this period, while there were 175 million during the same period in 2021.
In June and July 2022 alone, 207 million international earnings were registered, double the number of the same two months last year. These two summer months account for 44% of the total number of trips registered in the first 7 months of 2022.
Europe became the world leader: it accounted for 65% of the entire international tourist flow (309 million tourist revenues in January – July 2022).
And yet, the total number of tourist trips in the world did not reach the level of 2019 by 43%. Almost half.
Europe and the Middle Slope are recovering the fastest
According to the UNWTO, international tourism in Europe and the Middle East is recovering at the fastest pace. From January to July 2022, the number of trips reached 74% and 76% of the 2019 level, respectively.
Thus, in seven months, the number of international trips to Europe (to this region, according to the UNWTO methodology: Turkey is traditionally included) increased by 190% compared to the same period in 2021. This is due to the high demand for intra-regional travel, as well as the growth of tourist traffic from the USA. The lifting of entry bans also played a role: as of September 19, 2022, there were no restrictions related to COVID-19 in 44 European countries.
In the Middle East, international arrivals almost quadrupled in January-July 2022, with July travel exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 3%, driven primarily by pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia.
International tourism in the Americas is recovering, reaching 65% and 60% of 2019 levels and up 103% and 171%, respectively, compared to January-July 2021.
Among the global outsiders is the Asia-Pacific region, where the number of international trips is still significantly lower than the pre-pandemic level: a lag of as much as 86%. However, compared to 2021, the number of tourist earnings increased by 165%.
Southern Mediterranean and the Caribbean are closer to pre-Vivid indicators
According to UNWTO estimates, some subregions of the globe were able to restore international travel by 70-85% of the pre-pandemic level. Thus, the Southern Mediterranean in Europe lags by 15% from the pre-pandemic 2019, the Caribbean – by 18%, Central America – by 20%, and Western and Northern Europe – by 26% and 27%, respectively.
It is noteworthy that among the countries that exceeded the pre-pandemic level this year, there were almost no traditionally popular international destinations. Thus, the US Virgin Islands (+32%), Albania (+19%), Saint Maarten (+15%), Ethiopia and Honduras (both +13%), Andorra (+10%) reported an increase in earnings by 2019, Puerto Rico (+7%), UAE and Dominican Republic (both +3%), San Marino and El Salvador (both +1%).
World tourism will not return to the 2019 level until 2024 or later
UNWTO experts are cautious in their forecasts for the recovery of world tour to the level of 2019: about 61% of them see a potential return to pre-pandemic levels only in 2024 or later.
According to experts, the difficult economic and geopolitical situation in the world continues to be the main factor preventing the recovery of international tourism. Rising inflation and a sharp jump in oil prices are driving up transportation and living costs while putting pressure on consumers’ purchasing power.
Higher-than-expected demand has also created serious operational and staffing challenges for travel companies and infrastructure, especially airports.