Global Tourism Rebounds to Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2024
According to the "International Tourism Highlights 2025" report published by the UN World Tourism Organization, a record 1.465 billion international tourists traveled the world in 2024, marking a 12.2% increase from 2023. This brings the industry back to its pre-pandemic levels, confirming its resilience after the COVID-19 shock. Tourism, which accounts for 6% of total global exports and nearly a quarter of service exports, remains a pillar of the global economy.
Regional Breakdown
- Europe: With 631 million international arrivals, Europe accounts for over 43% of the global total. The region saw a 6% increase from the previous year, driven by a massive return of visitors to Spain, France, Italy, and Greece.
- Southern and Mediterranean Europe: 330.3 million arrivals, nearly a quarter of the global total.
- Western Europe: 215.7 million arrivals.
- Eastern and Northern Europe: 124.5 and 85.2 million arrivals, respectively.
- Asia: The second most visited region, Asia recorded 303 million arrivals, a spectacular 35% increase from the previous year. The full reopening of borders and the gradual return of Chinese tourism contributed to this rapid recovery.
- Northeast Asia (China, Japan, Korea): 145 million visitors.
- Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam): over 120 million visitors.
- Americas: The recovery remains solid, with:
- North America: 137 million tourists, driven by the United States (72 million) and Canada.
- Latin America and the Caribbean: nearly 80 million visitors, thanks to popular destinations like Mexico, Brazil, and Costa Rica.
- Middle East: The region continues its rapid ascent, with 101 million arrivals, up from 87 million the previous year. Massive investments in tourism by Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are paying off, transforming the region into an international travel hub.
- Africa: The continent welcomed 74 million visitors in 2024, up from 66 million in 2023. The growth of cultural, Saharan, and nature tourism, as well as the attractiveness of the Maghreb, contributed significantly to this increase.
Top Destinations
- France: Remains the world's top destination, with 102 million international visitors in 2024 – an absolute record.
- Spain: 94 million visitors.
- United States: 72 million visitors.
- Turkey: 61 million visitors, confirming its rise in the rankings, surpassing Italy thanks to its diverse offer of heritage, gastronomy, and beach tourism.
- Italy: 58 million visitors.
- China: 46 million visitors, marking a notable return to the top 10.
- Japan: 37 million visitors, also returning to the top 10.
