World Tourism Barometer

The report is published four times a year and includes an analysis of the latest data on tourism destinations (inbound tourism) and source markets (outbound tourism). The Barometer also includes a Confidence Index based on the UN Tourism Panel of Tourism Experts survey, which provides an evaluation of recent performance and short-term prospects on international tourism.

UN Tourism Member States, Associate Members and Affiliate Members receive the World Tourism Barometer as a part of UN Tourism’s service to Members.

• International tourism virtually recovered (99%) pre-pandemic levels in 2024, with most destinations exceeding 2019 numbers.
• 2024 marks the consolidation of international tourism recovery from its worst crisis ever, four years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• An estimated 1.4 billion international tourists (overnight visitors) were recorded around the world in 2024, an increase of 11% over 2023, or 140 million more.
• Results were driven by strong post-pandemic demand, robust performance from large source markets globally, as well as the ongoing recovery of destinations in Asia and the Pacific.
• The Middle East remained the strongest-performing region when compared to 2019, with international arrivals climbing 32% above pre-pandemic levels in 2024, though 1% compared to 2023.
• Europe welcome 1% more arrivals than in 2019 and 5% over 2023, while Africa saw a 7% increase in arrivals compared to 2019 and 12% more than in 2023.
• The Americas recovered 97% of its pre-pandemic arrivals, and Asia and the Pacific 87%.
• By subregions, North Africa (+22%) and Central America (+17%) saw the strongest performance in 2024 over 2019.
• Total export revenues from tourism (including passenger transport) are estimated at a record USD 1.9 trillion in 2024, about 3% higher than before the pandemic and 4% more than in 2019 (real terms). International tourism export had already recovered pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
• International tourist arrivals are expected to grow 3% to 5% in 2025 compared to 2024, according to preliminary estimates.
• The positive outlook for the sector is reflected in the latest UN Tourism Confidence Index, with a score of 130 for 2025 (based on a scale of 0 to 200, where 100 equals similar performance).
• About 64% of UN Tourism Panel of Experts indicate ‘better’ or ‘much better’ prospects for 2025 compared to 2024.
• Economic and geopolitical challenges continue to pose significant risks to confidence levels.