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Southern Europe is leading the recovery of international tourism, although experts predict that pre-pandemic levels will not be reached until 2024.

The recovery of the tourism sector is also a fact in the international sphere. The latest figures show a significant increase in the movement of visitors so far this year compared to 2021, and Europe, especially the countries in the south of the continent, are at the forefront of this recovery. This is highlighted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in its latest World Tourism Barometer.

The UNWTO report details that international tourism has increased by 182% during the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2021. This increase is even more pronounced in the case of Europe, where it stood at 280%, while in the Americas, Africa and the Middle East it was 117%, 96% and 132%, respectively. Asia and the Pacific lagged at the bottom of this statistic, with a 64% increase, as several destinations in the region remain closed to non-essential travel. The improved health situation brought about by the covid pandemic, the easing of restrictions imposed by most countries on international travel and increased public confidence are the factors behind this development.

Even so, the UNWTO study shows that the recovery of international tourism will take a little longer to be complete. Only a few very specific destinations have already managed to reach pre-pandemic visitor numbers, while in terms of regions, Southern Europe and the Caribbean offer the best data, having reached 75% of 2019 levels.

The survey conducted among the UNWTO Panel of Experts reflects an increase in their optimism regarding the evolution of the sector, provided that the current dynamics in terms of covid and the elimination of restrictions are maintained, although the uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine could change their outlook. Fifty-six percent of European experts believe that the recovery of international tourism in Europe to 2019 levels will take place next year, while 36% of European experts believe that this horizon will be reached by 2024.