UN Tourism’s Post

Of the 10 most tourism-dependent countries globally in terms of GDP contribution, six are Caribbean nations. Seven Caribbean nations feature in the top 10 for the direct contribution of tourism to employment figures*.  

Following the collapse in tourism income to national exports (as a result of COVID-19), it is worth noting that this ratio has increased to 77% during the first 9 months of 2023. https://bit.ly/42Ikmmf #JSFJo

Out of all the EU countries, Croatia's GDP profited the most from travel and tourism in 2022. With Croatia being the only significant outlier, the GDP of the United Kingdom and other EU members as well as the GDP of the United States in 2022 was still lower than it was prior to the pandemic.

🗽 Happy #WorldTourismDay!   ✈️Did you know? In OECD countries, #tourism directly accounts for 4.9% of GDP, 6.9% of employment and 21.6% of service exports (on average).   🌎 Regions are rethinking #attractiveness and #sustainability in a post pandemic world.   ➡️ The number of international tourists returning to Europe grew by 122% following the COVID-19 pandemic.   ➡️ Globally, a return to pre-pandemic levels of tourism is not expected before 2025.   Find out more in our recent blog 👉 https://bit.ly/3t2jcoc

The #tourism sector’s contribution to global GDP is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, driven by the lifting of COVID-19-related #travel restrictions and strong pent-up demand, according to the new World Economic Forum Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024. #TTDI24 Topping the 2024 list of economies are the United States, Spain, Japan, France and Australia. The Middle East had the highest recovery rates in international tourist arrivals (20% above the 2019 level), while Europe, Africa and the Americas all showed a strong recovery of around 90% in 2023. The biennial report, published in collaboration with the University of Surrey, analyses the travel and tourism sectors of 119 countries around a range of factors and policies. Find out more here: wef.ch/ttdi24

The tourism sector significantly impacts global GDP, contributing 9.1% in 2023, with a 23.2% increase from 2022. It's expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, driven by lifted COVID-19 travel restrictions and strong demand. The sector also created 27 million new jobs in 2023, indicating its vital role in global economic recovery and growth. The statistic burned into my mind from Aaron Heslehurst today at Sustainable Aviation Futures conference introduction - 1:10 people on the planet are benefiting from tourism... We need to make #Aviation #Sustainable....

India has climbed to the 39th position in the latest World Economic Forum’s "Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024" from 54 in 2021. However, changes in index criteria limits its direct comparison with 2022 and 2023. On the other hand, compared to 2019, India experienced a decline of 10 spots. That said, it still performs well in terms of sustainability in travel and tourism demand. Moreover, India is ranked highest in South Asia and among the lower-middle-income economies. India's rise in the rank reflects its potential as a global tourism destination. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, its rich natural, cultural, and non-leisure resources have bolstered its appeal among travelers. While India's progress is commendable, sustained efforts are needed to enhance its standing further and ensure the resilience of its tourism sector in the face of future disruptions. I am glad to have had the opportunity to contribute at some point to this growth journey of Indian travel and tourism sector. Onwards and upwards! #tourism #worldeconomicforum #travel #india #ttdi Quality Council of India(QCI) Arsh Hashmi

Overall, the contribution of travel and tourism to the global GDP amounted to 7.7 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022. This figure was forecast to reach an estimated 9.5 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023, remaining five percent below pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, the total contribution of travel and tourism to the global gross domestic product (GDP) was 23 percent lower than in 2019, the year prior to the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

China experienced a significant rebound in travel and spending during the Lunar New Year holiday, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Tourist trips increased by 19% from 2019, reaching 474 million, while tourism spending climbed to 633 billion yuan, up nearly 8%. This surge in domestic travel and consumer spending indicates a recovery in consumption despite challenges in the broader economy, such as the property crisis and deflationary pressures. Record high figures in air travel, railway trips, and box office sales further underscored this trend, although economists remain cautious about the overall economic impact, especially in sectors like the automobile industry.