Middle East Exceeded Its Pre-Pandemic Tourism Level in Early 2023: UNWTO

Key Points

• The Middle East saw a 15% increase in international tourists in early 2023 compared to the same period in 2019.
• Global tourism reached 80% of its pre-pandemic level in the first quarter of 2023, with Europe at 90%, Africa at 88%, and Asia Pacific at 54%.
• UNWTO warns of potential risks to tourism recovery, including global economic uncertainty, high inflation, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Summary

The Middle East experienced a significant increase in international tourism in early 2023, surpassing its pre-pandemic levels by 15%. Globally, tourism reached 80% of its pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2023, with Europe, Africa, and the Americas showing strong recovery. However, the UNWTO highlights potential risks to this recovery, such as economic uncertainty, inflation, and geopolitical tensions.