Arrivals reached 57% of pre-pandemic levels in the first seven months of 2022

The UNWTO World Tourism Barometer monitors short-term tourism trends on a regular basis to provide global tourism stakeholders with up-to-date analysis on international tourism.

The report is published four times a year and includes an analysis of the latest data on tourism destinations (inbound tourism) and source markets (outbound tourism). The Barometer also includes a Confidence Index based on the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts survey, which provides an evaluation of recent performance and short-term prospects on international tourism.

UNWTO Member States, Associate Members and Affiliate Members receive the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer as a part of member's service.

International tourism climbed to nearly 60% of pre-pandemic levels in January-July 2022

• International tourism continued to show strong performance through July 2022, with arrivals reaching 57% of pre-pandemic levels in the first seven months of 2022.
• International tourist arrivals almost tripled (+172%) in January-July 2022 compared to the same period of 2021.
• The steady recovery reflects strong pent-up demand for international travel, especially in the months of June and July which are part of the Northern Hemisphere summer season. The easing or lifting of travel restrictions in an increasing number of countries also contributed to boost results.
• An estimated 207 million international arrivals were recorded in June and July 2022 combined, over twice the numbers seen in the same two months last year. These months represent 44% of the total arrivals recorded in the first seven months of 2022.
• Europe and the Middle East showed the fastest recovery in January-July 2022, with arrivals reaching 74% and 76% of 2019 levels, respectively.
• Europe (+190%) welcomed almost three times as many international arrivals as in the first seven months of 2021, while the Middle East (+287%) saw arrivals grow almost four times year-on-year in January-July 2022.
• The Americas (+103%) and Africa (+171%) also recorded strong growth in January-July 2022 compared to 2021, reaching 65% and 60% of 2019 levels respectively. Asia and the Pacific (+165%) saw arrivals more than double in the first seven months of 2022, though they remained 86% below 2019 levels.
• According to the September 2022 survey, the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts rated the period May-August 2022 with a score of 125 (on a scale of 0 to 200). Prospects for the remainder of the year are cautiously optimistic, with a score of 111, showing a downgrade in confidence levels.
• The challenging economic environment including high inflation and the spike in oil prices, aggravated by the war in Ukraine, continues to be the main factor weighing on the recovery of tourism, according to experts.
• Some 61% of experts now see a potential return of international arrivals to 2019 levels in 2024 or later while those indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 has diminished (27%) compared to the May survey (48%).