The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported that in 2021 the sector had a 4% growth in international tourist arrivals.
However, 2021 was another difficult year, as arrivals remained a 72% below pre-pandemic levels.
For the WHO, the recovery of industry without smokestacks requires a stronger coordination and a higher vaccination rate.
According to the information, world tourism experienced an increase of 4% in 2022, compared to 2020, passing to the 415 millions of the 400 previous million.
However, international tourist arrivals remained a 65% below those of 2019, the year before the pandemic, according to UNWTO preliminary estimates.
These are figures that follow those of 2020, the worst year in the history of tourism, when there was a decrease of 73% on international arrivals.
Data from the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer for 2022, indicate that the increase in the vaccination rate, combined with the easing of travel restrictions due to greater cross-border coordination and new protocols, they have helped release pent-up demand.
International tourism picked up moderately in the second half of 2021, with arrivals in the third and fourth quarters one 62% lower than before the pandemic. And according to preliminary data, international tourist arrivals in December were 65% lower than 2019, although the true impact of the Omicron variant and the wave of Covid-infections remains to be seen 19.
The pace of recovery remains slow and uneven across regions in the world, due to varying degrees of mobility restrictions, vaccination rates and traveler confidence. However, Europe and America recorded the best results in 2021 compared to 2020 (+19% and +17% respectively), but both are still a 63% below pre-pandemic levels.
Prospects for Tourism, according to experts:
According to the latest survey of a UNWTO Group of Experts, these would be the prospects for Tourism:
– The 58% see better prospects for 2022
– The 61% expect a rebound in the year, especially during the third quarter.
– A 42% foresees a possible rebound only in 2023.
– The 65% expect international arrivals do not return to levels from 2019 to 2024 or after
While international tourism recovers, domestic tourism continues to drive the recovery of the sector in a growing number of destinations, particularly those with large domestic markets.
According to experts, domestic tourism and travel close to home, as well such as outdoor activities, nature-based products and rural tourism are some of the main travel trends that will continue to shape tourism in 2022 .
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