What: New UNWTO Data Showed Modest International Travel Recovery During June and July
The latest United Nations World Travel Organization (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer finds that 54 million tourists crossed international borders in July — the strongest results since April 2020, but down 67% from the same month in 2019. But a survey of a UNWTO Panel of Experts is pessimistic about a strong rebound for the rest of 2021, with only 31% of respondents expecting better results for the remainder of the year.
Why It Matters: 2021 Continues to Be Tough on Tourism, But Experts Understand What’s Needed for International Travel Recovery
This year continues to be tough for international tourism, with arrivals down 80% from January to July compared to 2019. While some areas — especially Asia/the Pacific and the Middle East — continue to be largely closed off to tourism, some parts of Europe and the Americas saw a rebound.
These upticks were largely supported by reopening to international tourism, in addition to progress made in the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines and the easing of travel restrictions. Mass vaccination and relaxed, standardized protocols and restrictions are key to restoring consumer confidence, so advisors can expect a true restart to tourism when inoculation rates are high globally, and when restrictions are more streamlined among destinations.
The true restart of tourism and the benefits it brings, remain on hold as inconsistent rules and regulations and uneven vaccination rates continue to affect confidence in travel.
Fast Facts
- Among the small group of countries that surpassed 2019 tourist arrivals was Mexico, which earned roughly the same tourism receipts in June 2021 as in 2019, and in July achieved a 2% increase over 2019.
- France and the U.S. saw a significant improvement in July, though tourism spending was still below 2019 levels by 35% and 49%, respectively.
- The UNWTO Panel of Experts largely expects pent-up demand to drive the rebound in the second and third quarters of 2022.
- Most experts (53%) expect September to- December of 2021 to have worse international tourism figures than previously expected.
What They Are Saying
“There is clearly a strong demand for international tourism, and many destinations have started welcoming visitors back safely and responsibly,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general of UNWTO. “However, the true restart of tourism and the benefits it brings, remain on hold as inconsistent rules and regulations and uneven vaccination rates continue to affect confidence in travel.”
The Details
United Nations World Travel Organization
