International tourism grows 172 percent in the first seven months of this year

Madrid-Sana

A report by the International Tourism Organization showed that the number of tourists rose globally by 172 percent during the first seven months of this year, amid continued improvement from the effects of the Corona pandemic.

The report issued today and published on the organization's website indicated that the number of international tourists rose to 474 million compared to 175 million tourists during the same period last year.

The report stated that 207 million international tourists were registered in last June and July, and the two months represented 44 percent of the total arrivals registered in the first seven months of 2022.

In turn, the organization's Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: "Tourism continues to recover steadily, but there are still many geopolitical and economic challenges."

According to the report, international tourism continued to show strong signs of recovery, with arrivals reaching 57 percent of pre-pandemic levels in the first seven months of this year.

The report monitored that 86 countries did not have restrictions related to Covid 19 as of September 19, and indicated that Europe received 309 million of these arrivals, which represents 65 percent of the total.

Europe and the Middle East showed the fastest recovery during this period, with arrivals reaching 74 percent and 76 percent from 2019 levels, respectively.

Europe received nearly three times the number of international arrivals, and during the first seven months of 2021 recorded a growth of 190 percent.

The Middle East also witnessed an increase in the number of international arrivals almost four times on an annual basis at the end of July, with an annual growth of 287 percent.

The report pointed out that the Americas increased by 103 percent, and Africa by 171 percent year on year, while the Asia-Pacific region witnessed a growth of 165 percent.

The steady recovery reflects the strong pent-up demand for international travel, as well as the easing or lifting of travel restrictions so far.

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