Europe is the region in the world where the fastest recovery in international tourism is recorded, having multiplied almost four times the values of the same period of 2021 in the first quarter.
According to the latest report from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourism, given the effects of the health crisis, grew between January and March 182% (almost three times more) than the same period last year, with 117 million arrivals compared to 41 million in the first quarter of 2021.
Even so, it is still 61% lower than the figure registered before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The UNWTO Confidence Indicator shows that, for the first time since the start of the pandemic, the index has returned to 2019 levels, with greater optimism about the evolution of the sector.
Experts consulted around the world by the Madrid-based organization warn, however, that “a strong explosion in demand”especially in the trips between countries of the European continent and in the movements between the United States and Europe.
The UNWTO revises upwards the forecasts for 2022 and calculates that international tourist arrivals will be between 55% and 77%, compared to 2019 levels.
The final figures will depend on the evolution of travel restrictions, the situation caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the appearance of new variants of the new coronavirus and global economic conditions, in particular inflation and energy prices.
In the case of Europe, growth increased by 280% (almost four times more), a recovery helped mainly by the growth of demand between regions, despite the fact that it is still 43% below the values before the start of the SARS CoV-2 pandemic. .
In the Americas, international arrivals have doubled compared to the first quarter of 2021 but are still 46% lower than in 2019.
The Middle East and Africa, with increases of 32% and 96%, respectively, between January and March 2021, grew but the values are still in 60% below the values that were given before 2019.
In the case of Asia and the Pacific, where many destinations remain closed to foreign transit, they reached a 64% increase in 2021 but were 93% below the 2019 figures.
The Caribbean and Mediterranean Europe subregions show the highest growth rates, with international tourist arrivals registering a 75% increase in volumes before the start of the health crisis.
UNWTO believes that the recovery will continue throughout the year as restrictions are lifted in many destinations and because there is high demand.
Despite the optimism shown by the UNWTO, the effects of the war in Ukraine are slowing down the flow of travel to Eastern Europe.
The current conflict caused by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has the effects of increasing oil prices, rising inflation and the disruption of global supply chains that drive up the prices of transport and tourist accommodation.
The barometer also says that it shows that the benefits of tourism exports amounted to 713,000 million dollars (665,000 million euros), 4% more than in 2020 but 61% less than in 2019.
The same report also indicates that the average cost per trip went from one thousand dollars (933 euros) in 2019, to 1,400 dollars (1,306 euros) in 2021.
Source: Observadora
