The latest report of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that the number of international tourists in the first three months of 2021 decreased by 83% compared to the same period last year.
Between January and March 2021, destinations worldwide received 180 million fewer international tourists than in the first quarter of last year.
Asia-Pacific remains the most affected region, with a 94% decline in foreign visitors in the first quarter. Europe experienced the second largest drop of -83%. Europe was followed by Africa (-81%), the Middle East (-78%) and the Americas (-71%). All of this has made this year the worst on record for the tourism industry.
UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili said:
“There is significant pent-up demand and we see confidence slowly returning. Vaccinations will be key for recovery, but we must improve coordination and communication while making testing easier and more affordable if we want to see a rebound for the summer season in the northern hemisphere.”
However, the latest survey of the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts shows that expectations for the May-August period have slightly improved.
Overall, 60% of respondents expect a recovery in international tourism by 2022. The remaining 40% sees a potential recovery in 2021. Nearly half of the experts think that tourism levels in 2019 will not be reached before 2024, while the rate of those who expect a return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 was 37%.
