Tourism Rebounds in 1Q2023: 235 Million Tourists Reach 80% of Pre-Pandemic Levels

The second UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of 2023 reflects that tourism rebound strongly in the first quarter of 2023. International arrivals reached 80% of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 235 million tourists travelled internationally in the first three months of the year – more than double the number during the same period in 2022. Furthermore, revised data for 2022 shows that over 960 million tourists travelled internationally last year, meaning that two-thirds (66%) of pre-pandemic numbers were recovered.

Recovery by Region in Q1 2023:

• The Middle East saw the strongest performance as the only region exceeding 2019 arrivals (+15%) and the first to recover pre-pandemic numbers in a full quarter.
• Europe reached 90% of pre-pandemic levels, driven by strong intra-regional demand.
• Africa reached 88%, and the Americas about 85% of 2019 levels.
• Asia and the Pacific accelerated its recovery with 54% of pre-pandemic levels, but this upward trend is set to accelerate now that most destinations, particularly China, have re-opened.

_{Data as collected by UNWTO, May 2023. Published: 09/05/2023}

“In many places, we are close to or even above pre-pandemic levels of arrivals. However, we must remain alert to challenges ranging from geopolitical insecurity, staffing shortages, and the potential impact of the cost-of-living crisis on tourism, and we must ensure tourism’s return delivers on its responsibilities as a solution to the climate emergency and as a driver of inclusive development.”

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-UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili