Despite this, the UNWTO highlights a general recovery compared to 2021. By region, Middle East was closer to recovering in terms of international travelers – to 83% of 2019 -, while Europe It was at 90%. Africa and the American continent were at 65%, while the region of asia and pacific it was only 23%. However, in the comparison by countries, the story changes.
Mexico receives more foreign tourists than it emits
Mexico It is in the small group of countries that receive international tourism that can tell a story of growth, of 13% according to UNWTO estimates; the third major after Turkey (which increased the reception of international tourists by 40% compared to 2019) and Romaniawhich grew by 25%.
Although the arrival of tourists by air between January and November of this year was 8.4% above 2019, the departure of Mexican tourists has yet to follow the same path, because in November was at 97.9% of pre-pandemic levelsthat is, only two percentage points below, according to INEGI data.
“Tourist departures from Mexico abroad were just below what was registered in November 2019, partly due to the effect of Mexican attendance at the Soccer World Cupwhich would have helped to have the lowest differential with 2019 so far this year”, refers to an analysis by the Anahuac Center for Tourism Research and Competitiveness (Cicotur).
The main tourist-sending countries have not recovered pre-pandemic levels either, although they are close. According to UNWTO data, France is barely 4% below 2019, while Germany was at minus 8% and USA –the main issuer of international tourists to Mexico– was found to be less than 15% in the comparison from January to November 2022, compared to the same period prior to covid-19.
“UNWTO foresees a good year for the sector, even as we face various challenges, such as the economic situation and continued geopolitical uncertainty”, said UNWTO Secretary General, Zurab Pololikashviliin the report.
“A new year brings new reasons for optimism for world tourism. A number of economic factors may influence how people travel in 2023, and UNWTO expects demand for domestic and regional travel to remain strong and help fuel the sector’s broader recovery,” he added.