International travel surged in 2024, with 1.4 billion people crossing borders, marking a significant recovery for the global tourism industry.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourist arrivals increased by 11% in 2024 compared to the previous year, bringing the total to 1.4 billion travelers. This resurgence signifies a return to 99% of the tourism activity recorded in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted that many destinations have not only regained but surpassed their pre-pandemic tourism figures, both in terms of arrivals and revenue. He emphasized that the strong demand is expected to drive continued growth throughout 2025, contributing to the socio-economic development of various regions.
Regional analysis reveals that the Middle East experienced the most significant growth, welcoming 95 million visitors—a 32% increase from 2019. Africa saw a 7% rise with 74 million visitors, while Europe received 747 million tourists, marking a 1% growth.
In the Asia-Pacific region, international arrivals reached 316 million, a 33% increase from 2023, accounting for 87% of the pre-pandemic levels.
This global upturn is mirrored in Türkiye’s tourism sector. The country welcomed 35.8 million foreign tourists in the first eight months of 2024, a 7.1% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Istanbul attracted nearly 12.27 million visitors, accounting for 34.3% of all foreign arrivals.
The positive trends in international travel underscore the resilience of the tourism industry and its pivotal role in global economic recovery.
