Global tourism is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, according to the latest report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The report, published on Monday, predicts that 1.5 billion international tourists will travel in 2024, up from 1.3 billion in 2023, which was 89% of pre-2019 levels.
In 2023, several countries saw visitor arrivals surpass pre-pandemic numbers, led by Europe. The region benefited from strong domestic travel and a robust US dollar, boosting outbound travel from the United States.
Notably, Portugal welcomed a record 19.4 million tourists, a 12.1% increase from 2019, while Spain, the Netherlands, and Norway also exceeded their pre-pandemic figures.
Outside Europe, Colombia and Morocco reported significant increases in tourist numbers.
In contrast, the Asia-Pacific region experienced a slower recovery. Countries like Australia, Japan, and New Zealand saw foreign visitor numbers remain well below 2019 levels due to later border reopenings.
Geopolitical conflicts, such as Russia’s war in Ukraine and the Hamas attacks in Israel, further impacted tourism flows. Israel, for instance, saw a 33.9% reduction in incoming tourism in 2023.
The OECD report also highlights a promising future growth engine for global tourism with increased travel from India, driven by the rapid expansion of its middle class and improved air connectivity.
The report emphasizes the need for sustainable growth in the tourism sector, advocating for policies to diversify tourism offerings, attract new markets, and manage environmental impacts.
“Significant investments are needed to reduce the environmental impact of tourism activities while adapting to climate change,” the report states.
It calls for support for tourism destinations and businesses to keep pace with technological advances and develop the necessary infrastructure.
