The tourism industry has returned to pre-pandemic highs

Over 1.4 billion people traveled internationally in 2024

Stars Insider

22/01/25 | StarsInsider

TRAVEL Exploring

In 2024, around 1.4 billion people traveled internationally. This is just 1% less than in 2019, the last full year before COVID-19 caused the travel industry to come to a halt, meaning that tourism has officially made a post-pandemic comeback.

The UN’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released its 2024 year-in-review data, revealing that US$1.9 billion was spent in the tourism industry, averaging more than $1,000 per tourist. Most of that money was spent in Europe, which came out as the most-visited continent; France was the most-visited country.

The report also noted that small countries saw a big rise in tourism in 2024, notably Qatar, Andorra, the Dominican Republic, Kuwait, Albania, and El Salvador. UNWTO’s panel of experts welcomed this by encouraging “the discovery of lesser-known destinations” for the sake of “balancing growth and sustainability,” which they say “will be critical in 2025.”

However, not everyone is happy about the increase. Spain was the second most-visited country in 2024, and it marked the year with many major anti-tourist movements. Italy, which saw a 23% growth in tourism, also banned large tour groups in some popular cities.

As we look ahead, several key trends are redefining how, where, and why we travel. From sustainable tourism to the rise of slow travel and remote work adventures, click on to discover the travel trends set to shape the future.

Campo obrigatório

Don’t miss out...


on the latest TV shows, movies, music, and exclusive content from the entertainment industry!

I accept terms & conditions and privacy policy.
I want to receive Exclusive Offers from partners (advertising)

You can easily unsubscribe at any time
Thank you for subscribing