An estimated 1,4 billion tourists travelled internationally in 2024, indicating a virtual recovery (99%) of 2019 pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism.

This represents an increase of 11% over 2023, or 140 million more international tourist arrivals. The results were driven by strong post-pandemic demand, robust performance from large source markets, and the ongoing recovery of destinations in Asia and the Pacific.

Growth is expected to continue throughout 2025, driven by strong demand contributing to the socio-economic development of both mature and emerging destinations.

Africa welcomed 74 million visitors in 2024, 7% more than in 2019 and 12% more than in 2023.

International tourism receipts saw robust growth in 2024 after already almost reaching pre-pandemic levels in 2023 in real terms (adjusting for inflation and exchange rate fluctuations).

According to preliminary estimates, international tourism receipts reached US$1,6 trillion (R29,5trn) in 2024, about 3% more than in 2023, and 4% more than in 2019 (real terms).

International tourist arrivals are expected to grow 3% to 5% in 2025 compared with 2024, assuming a continued recovery of Asia and the Pacific and solid growth in most other regions.

This initial projection assumed that global economic conditions remained favourable, inflation continued to recede, and geopolitical conflicts did not escalate, UN Tourism said in a press release.