Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Bhebhe, Senior Business Reporter
AFRICAN saw a six percent increase in international tourist arrivals from January to September 2024 compared to the same period in 2019 while globally, an estimated 1.1 billion international tourists were recorded in 2024.
The global surge reflects an 11 percent increase over 2023, or 140 million more, fueled by strong post-pandemic demand and robust performance from major source markets, according to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism.
According to the report, Tanzania (+43 percent) and Morocco (+29 percent) both reported double-digit growth and Kenya (+9 percent) also exceeded 2019 numbers, Kenya (+9 percent) also exceeded 2019 numbers,” reads part of the report.
Last year marked the consolidation of international tourism recovery from its worst crisis ever, four years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global tourism has been recovering steadily since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, international tourist arrivals were estimated to reach 80-95 percent of pre-pandemic levels (2019 levels, which were around 1.5 billion arrivals).
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and other industry analysts projected that global tourist arrivals could return to or even exceed pre-pandemic levels by 2024, driven by pent-up demand, increased air connectivity, and economic recovery.
The pandemic generated a loss of 2.7 billion international arrivals in 2020, 2021 and 2022 combined.
Export revenues from international tourism (including receipts and passenger transport) dropped 62 percent in 2020 and 59 percent in 2021, versus 2019 (real terms) and then rebounded in 2022, remaining 23 percent below pre-pandemic levels.
The report noted that total export revenues from tourism (including passenger transport) are estimated at a record US$1.9 trillion in 2024, about three percent higher than before the pandemic and four more than in 2019 (real terms).
“After four years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, international tourist arrivals are on track to reach 2019 levels by the end of 2024. The pace of recovery has been more moderate in the second half of 2024, reflecting a gradual normalisation of growth rates after an already strong year 2023.
“While a large number of destinations already exceeded pre-pandemic arrival numbers in 2023, or has done so in 2024, there is still room for recovery across several sub-regions and destinations.
“As in 2023, the year 2024 will also be marked by strong export revenues from international tourism as a result of higher average spending per trip (excluding the effects of inflation). International tourism virtually achieved pre-pandemic values in 2023 with US$1.8 trillion (including receipts and passenger transport fares), or 99 percent of pre-pandemic values.”
World Tourism Barometer predicts three to five percent growth in 2025.
“International tourist arrivals are expected to grow three to five percent 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).”
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