Newly released statistics from the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer has shown that international arrivals climbed by 172% during the first seven months of 2022 compared to the same seven-month period in 2021.
As a result, the tourism industry has picked up to 60% of the level it was at before the pandemic.
Pent-up demand for international travel and the easing or removal of travel restrictions to this point are seen as key to this slow but steady recovery - 86 countries having no COVID-19-related restrictions as of 19th September 2022.
While the tourism industry is showing signs of improvement, many geopolitical and economic issues remain, according to UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
Because of the strong industry growth in developing countries, people worldwide feel more optimistic. The time is opportune to examine tourism’s future and its implications on people and the environment.
By comparison, just 175 million people travelled abroad over those same months in 2021 so the expected 474 million international visitors is a considerable rise.
The overall number of international arrivals in June and July 2022 was expected to be 207 million, which is more than double the number of visitors who visited during the same two months in 2021.
These months account for 44% of total arrivals recorded in the first seven months of 2022.
Europe saw 309 million new arrivals, accounting for around 65% of the world’s total.
Image courtesy of Best Western.
About the author
An experinced airline and travel industry professional, Joe has over 25 years international airline sales experience of which 18 have been in senior positions in Australia, North Africa and Europe, Middle East and Thailand.
Committed to sharing news and personal experiences, he explains that, post-COVID, "once I resume travelling with people that like me are nomads by nature and love to travel, (I will) provide you with as much advice and tips to make your travel experience a memorable one."
Click here to visit his website.
Read more from this author
Related Articles
26th September 2022 - Hong Kong Tourism Board welcomes easing of some of the world’s toughest travel restrictions
25th September 2022 - Japanese Government announces borders will reopen to vaccinated tourists from 11th October
21st September 2022 - Insurer launches comprehensive travel pass for inbound tourists to Singapore
12th September 2022 - Hyatt Hotels emphasises leisure travel as a key driver for its Asia Pacific growth
10th September 2022 - Oceania and Asia winners announced at 2022 World Travel Awards
16th August 2022 - Off-season travel demand grows between Australia and Southeast Asia
9th August 2022 - Qatar Tourism online course helps upskill its global travel trade partners
13th June 2022 - Intrepid Travel invests $7.85 million in CABN to expand off grid tourism experiences
9th March 2022 - Renowned hospitality groups and organisations join the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge
27th May 2022 - Japan opens borders to foreign tour groups after two year closure
11th May 2022 - New Zealand borders to open to all international visa holders from 1st August
21st February 2022 - Australia opens its international borders but tourists remain wary
4th December 2019 - World Travel and Tourism Council calls for Climate Neutrality by 2050
27th September 2017 - World Travel & Tourism Council explains how ‘tourism transforms our world’ on World Tourism Day
15th June 2022 - WTTC new report offers guidelines on destination resilience and sustainability
15th March 2021 - New UNWTO report on global travel restrictions shows slowing of easing measures
