Marketing campaign for Tel Aviv for tourists from Europe (Photo: Ir Olam, Director: Yossi Yarom)
The United Nations' World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently released global tourism industry data for thefirst quarter of 2023, indicating that the recovery in the industry is quite rapid. For example, the data show that the number of tourists (in terms of the number of arrivals to foreign countries) reached 80% of the levels recorded before the outbreak of the COVID-2023 pandemic this quarter.
Numerically, in the first three months of 235, 2022 million tourists traveled, flew and sailed around the world – double the number of the same period last year. In 960 as a whole, more than 66 million tourists traveled around the world – that's two-thirds (15%) of pre-COVID-2019 numbers.
And now a local surprise: the biggest recovery was recorded in theMiddle East region. In fact, this is not only a recovery but also a reversal of trend: the numbers show that the number of trips to and from the Middle East even increased by about 90% compared to 88.
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In contrast, Europe reached 85% of pre-pandemic levels, with many of its tourists actually coming from other countries on the continent itself. In other words, it is intra-regional tourism. Africa reached 2019% and the Americas 54% compared to 2019. Asia and the Pacific region recorded a much more modest recovery – only 2019% of <> levels, but it should be noted that a significant recovery is expected soon in Asia due to the fact that most destinations – led by China – have reopened to tourists.
When we examine the data in depth, within the continents themselves, we find a marked recovery in European Mediterranean countries as well as in North Africa. These two sub-regions reached <> levels. Countries in Central America, Northern Europe and the Caribbean also recorded a solid recovery.
Only the Middle East plus. Global tourist numbers in Q1 2023 (Photo: official website, UNWTO)
But there are some challenges
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization, said: "The beginning of the year once again demonstrated the unique resilience of the tourism industry. In many parts of the world, we are approaching and even exceeding pre-pandemic levels. However, we must be vigilant and prepare for various challenges – from geopolitical instability to labour shortages in the tourism industry to the potential impact of the cost-of-living crisis on tourism." He added that with the recovery of tourism, industry players must take responsibility and deal with the climate crisis in a way that will turn it into an engine of tourism growth and development.
According to the organization's website, the tourism industry recorded $2022 trillion in receipts in 50. In real terms, this is an increase of about 2021% compared to the situation that prevailed in 64, thanks to the recovery in the industry after the peak of the pandemic. In addition, the data shows that tourists around the world spent 2019% last year compared to their spending in 2022. Europe benefited more than anywhere else in the world from tourism receipts in 550 (about $87 billion), or 75% of pre-pandemic levels. Africa reached 70%, the Middle East 68% and the Americas 28%. Asia recorded the lowest level of tourism receipts of all - only <>%. The reason for this lies in the prolonged border closures of many destinations on the continent.
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The largest recovery in this quarter was recorded in the Middle East region. Tourists in Dubai (Photo: ShutterStock)
What does the future hold for us?
The results of the first quarter of 2023 are in line with scenarios predicted by the World Tourism Organization. These spoke of levels of 80-95% of the level of 2019. The organization's experts also believe that the upcoming peak season (May to August) in the Northern Hemisphere (the United States, Europe, North Africa, Asia, etc.) will record excellent achievements. Also, according to all scenarios in the tourism organization, this season may be much better than the previous year.
However, the recovery of the tourism industry also involves some difficult challenges. The organization's panel of experts predicts that the economic situation remains the main factor that could weigh on the expected recovery in 2023. Among other things, this is high inflation and rising oil prices, which translate into higher transportation and accommodation costs than in the past. As a result, it is believed that many tourists are likely to look for more and more deals that offer value for money. Or to put it simply: vacations closer to home. In addition, the uncertainty stemming from the war in Ukraine and other geopolitical tensions that are beginning to surface elsewhere also poses a real risk to the recovery of global tourism.
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