Global Tourism Sector 2024 and 2025
Travel Sentry News | December 2024
Global Tourism Sector is on Track for a Full Recovery by the end of 2024
The tourism sector is on track for a full recovery by the end of 2024, with international tourism set to reach pre-pandemic levels. This is great news for economies worldwide, as travel activity and spending return to normal. The latest World Tourism Barometer reports strong growth in international tourist arrivals, showing that the industry is regaining its strength.
Table of Contents:
- Progress in 2024
- Economic Recovery
- Key Drivers
- Trends in 2025
1 - Progress in 2024
In the first nine months of 2024, global travel numbers climbed to 98% of what they were in 2019.
Regions like the Middle East even exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with arrivals 22% higher than in 2019. Other areas are catching up.
Europe reached 94% of its pre-pandemic numbers and Africa recovered 96%.
The United Kingdom has been an important part of this recovery, both as a popular destination and as a key source of travelers.
While some regions are still behind, the Asia-Pacific area saw international arrivals reach 65% of their 2019 levels. With increased air connectivity and the reopening of more markets, this region is expected to see improvement soon.
In the aviation sector, global Revenue Passenger-Kilometers (RPK) grew 7.1% year-on-year (YoY) in October 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The Asia-Pacific region led the recovery, with a 17.5% YoY increase in RPK, largely driven by strong domestic demand in China, where domestic air traffic grew by 9.7%.
2 - Economic Recovery
The rebound in tourism is making a big impact on the global economy. In 2023, the travel industry contributed $3.4 trillion to global GDP. Experts predict this figure will rise to $11.1 trillion in 2024, making up 10% of the global economy.
Spending is also rising fast. Travelers are spending more on each trip, with total tourism expenditure expected to hit $5.5 trillion in 2024. This marks a 24% increase compared to 2019. Longer trips and higher demand for luxury experiences are driving this trend.
In addition, global airline load factors (PLF) reached record highs of 83.9% in October 2024, nearly 2% higher than pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the efficiency of airlines in meeting increased passenger demand.
3 - Key Drivers and Challenges
Several factors have fueled the recovery. Increased air connectivity has made it easier for people to travel. Looser visa rules in some countries have also helped boost tourism numbers. A total of 43 countries have already returned to or surpassed their 2019 levels.
The Asia-Pacific region continues to be a key growth driver, with international air traffic to and from Asia growing rapidly. The Africa–Asia route experienced the highest annual growth rate of 28% in October 2024, demonstrating the growing demand for long-haul travel.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the need for regions to invest in infrastructure and manage capacity issues. For example, airlines face delays in aircraft deliveries, which could limit future growth. Additionally, efforts to make tourism more sustainable need to pick up speed.
4 - Trends in 2025
The increase in global tourist arrivals is good news for economies, showing how important travel is in connecting people.
In 2025, air travel growth rates are expected to stabilize, with Asia-Pacific leading the charge. China's domestic air travel market remains pivotal, and its recovery will likely inspire further advancements in other markets. At the same time, the tourism industry is set to embrace sustainability, with governments and private players encouraged to invest in greener technologies and practices.
The future of travel and tourism looks bright. As the world continues to open up, this sector will keep creating jobs, boosting economies, and inspiring people everywhere. This clearly shows that tourism has bounced back and is stronger than ever.