At WTM London 2024The WTM Global Travel Report revealed projections for a historic milestone in international tourism.
Overnight international arrivals are expected to reach a record 1.5 million in 2024, representing an improvement on pre-pandemic levels as travelers prioritize longer trips and higher spending.
Presented in collaboration with Tourism Economics, the report provides insights into trends across 185 countries and highlights the strong recovery and expansion of the global tourism sector.
According to the report, international tourist arrivals will see a significant increase of 30% by 2030, reaching a projected figure of two billion arrivals.
This growth is largely driven by emerging source markets and an increase in leisure tourism spending, which is projected to exceed $5.5 trillion in 2024, a 24% increase from 2019 levels.
Consumers in advanced economies are spending more than ever on travel: tourism now accounts for 8.8% of consumer spending, up from an average of 8.2% in the decade before COVID-19.
While some regions, such as Asia Pacific, have seen a more gradual recovery, overall travel spending is recovering.
“Consumers are clearly prioritizing travel as a key part of their lives, which is reflected in the record numbers we are seeing,” said Juliette Losardo, exhibitor director at WTM London.
“WTM’s mission is to help industry leaders navigate these changes, providing them with insights for the year ahead.”
A notable trend in 2024 is the increase in overnight stays, with figures expected to increase by 7% compared to 2023 and 16% compared to 2019.
Travelers are also staying longer: the average duration of international trips has increased by 12% compared to 2019.
This shift reflects a growing interest in “slow travel” and the rise of “bleisure” travel, where business travel is extended for personal enjoyment.
WTM London 2024, which runs until November 7, offers an invaluable platform for industry professionals to connect and discuss how to take advantage of these evolving trends. (https://www.travelandtourworld.es/noticias/art%C3%ADculo/WTM-Londres-2024-El-turismo-mundial-alcanza-nuevas-cotas-con-un-crecimiento-r%C3%A9cord/)
