International arrivals reached 80% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2023, says UNWTO. In various destinations, the return of tourists has been robust, nearing or even surpassing pre-pandemic arrival levels.

Following the devastating COVID crisis, at a time when the tourism industry believed that people might never venture beyond their homes to rediscover the world's marvels, something extraordinary happened. Like birds released from captivity, travellers eagerly grabbed their bags, taking flight and causing a significant spike.

In just the second year after the pandemic, pre-pandemic visitor levels were attained, defying earlier expectations.In the first quarter of 2023, international arrivals reached an impressive 80% of pre-pandemic levels. During this period, approximately 235 million tourists embarked on international journeys, which was more than double the number for the same period in 2022.

UNWTO data also examines recovery at the sub-regional and destination levels. The Middle East stands out with the most robust performance, surpassing 2019 arrivals by 15% and becoming the first region to fully recover pre-pandemic numbers within a quarter. Europe reached 90% of pre-pandemic levels, driven by strong intra-regional demand. Africa achieved 88%, while the Americas reached approximately 85% of 2019 levels. Asia and the Pacific are gaining momentum, with a recovery rate of 54% of pre-pandemic levels. This upward trend is poised to accelerate further as most destinations, particularly China, have now reopened.This demonstrated the industry's ability to bounce back and maintain a strong recovery, even when confronted with economic and geopolitical challenges.

When discussing this, the UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, remarked that "The start of the year has shown again tourism's unique ability to bounce back. 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."

Expectations are high for a strong performance in the upcoming Northern Hemisphere summer season, supported by pent-up demand, the ongoing restoration of air travel connections, and the recent reopening of significant Asian markets and destinations. Nevertheless, certain hindrances may disrupt this flow. The primary obstacle to the effective recovery of international tourism in 2023 remains the economic landscape, with surging inflation and rising oil prices resulting in elevated transportation and lodging expenses. This is likely to prompt tourists to increasingly seek cost-effective options and opt for travel closer to their homes.