Tourism in Africa Rebounding: UNWTO Barometer Insights

GLOBAL TOURISM RECOVERY HIGHLIGHTED BY UNWTO BAROMETER DATA, AFRICA LEADS THE WAY WITH 92% PRE-CRISIS VISITORS RETURNING IN 2023. OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK FOR THE INDUSTRY PREDICTS 80% TO 95% PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS IN 2023.

The global tourism sector is experiencing a remarkable recovery, with different regions displaying varying degrees of resurgence, according to the latest data from the UNWTO Barometer, officially known as the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This analysis offers valuable insights into the tourism trends for the first seven months of 2023, shedding light on the industry’s performance as it navigates the pandemic aftermath.

Africa, renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and diverse wildlife, stands out at the forefront of this recovery, as revealed by the UNWTO Barometer data. Africa has impressively regained 92% of its pre-crisis visitors between January and July 2023. This robust recovery underscores the enduring appeal of the continent’s unique tourism offerings.

In comparison, other regions have had mixed success in attracting international tourists during the same period. The Americas saw a recovery rate of 87%, while the Asia and Pacific region lagged with a recovery rate of 61%. Among the subregions, North Africa stood out with an 8% increase in tourist arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Global Tourism Recovery and UNWTO Barometer’s Vital Role

The broader global picture is equally optimistic, with UNWTO World Tourism Barometer data indicating that international tourism reached 84% of pre-pandemic levels during the January-July 2023 period, translating to about 700 million international tourists. This figure is about 43% higher than the same period in 2022, albeit 16% lower than in 2019.

The Middle East and Europe also experienced encouraging recovery rates, as reported by the UNWTO Barometer. Tourist arrivals in the Middle East exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 20%, and Europe, the world’s most visited region, attained 91% of pre-pandemic levels of tourism, primarily driven by strong intra-regional demand.

As per the UNWTO Barometer, the global tourism sector is on a positive trajectory, anticipated to reach between 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023. The outlook for the remainder of 2023 is positive, albeit with a cautious optimism, as the industry may face challenges tied to economic conditions that could influence tourist spending patterns.

The UNWTO Barometer, published quarterly, serves as a crucial tool for global tourism stakeholders, providing timely insights on short-term tourism trends. The report offers an analysis of the latest data on tourism destinations (inbound tourism) and source markets (outbound tourism), along with a Confidence Index based on the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts survey. The UNWTO Barometer is an indispensable resource for monitoring the ongoing recovery and resurgence of the global tourism sector.

Source: UNWTO World Tourism Barometer