World tourism industry unleashes potential, promotes cohesion

With a series of stimulus measures, the world tourism industry is on the way to recovery as before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Facing the opportunity to take off, the "smokeless industry" is expected to make a strong contribution to global economic growth, while promoting the potential to promote cohesion, contributing to peace and sustainable development.

Illustration photo: Tourists at the "Taste of Russia" Food Festival. (Photo: XUAN HUNG)

Data recently released by the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) highlights the positive signs of the world tourism industry in recent times. According to UN Tourism, the first seven months of 2024 recorded about 790 million international tourist arrivals, an increase of about 11% compared to the same period in 2023 and only 4% lower than the level of 2019.

The Middle East and Africa are set to see an increase in international arrivals beyond pre-Covid-19 levels. Other regions are also not far from achieving their goal of recovering international tourist arrivals. According to UN Tourism, international tourism revenues in 2023 will reach around $1.8 trillion, almost back to pre-pandemic levels. In the first half of 2024, international tourism revenues in many countries, such as Albania, Serbia, Portugal, Türkiye, Colombia, etc., will grow at double- and triple-digit rates compared to the same period in 2019. This provides an optimistic outlook for growth prospects for the entire year.

These telling figures suggest that a full recovery of the tourism industry by the end of 2024 is possible. UN Tourism attributes this upturn to strong demand from European tourists and the reopening of many markets in Asia and Oceania. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said that measures to increase air connectivity and ease visa restrictions were also factors in the recovery.

Despite many achievements, the world tourism industry still faces many challenges. Experts say that inflation and trade disruptions, leading to increased travel and accommodation costs, are the main challenges for the tourism industry. In addition, the shortage of human resources is also a big problem when tourism demand is increasing. Extreme weather events still directly affect many tourism activities. Geopolitical instability also lowers expectations about the recovery of the global tourism industry.

The rapid recovery, as well as the challenges, show the urgency of more comprehensive and sustainable policies for the tourism industry, not just economic benefits. During the recent G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Belem, Brazil, delegates highlighted the important contributions of the “smokeless industry” to socio-economic development, as well as the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Belem Declaration adopted by the G20 Tourism Ministers affirms the common commitment to developing a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive tourism industry. Accounting for more than 70% of total international tourist arrivals and revenue globally, the G20 needs to take the lead in efforts to promote the strengths of the tourism industry.

Tourism can also become a “catalyst” that contributes to enhancing mutual understanding between cultures and countries, thereby promoting peace and development. This is highlighted by UN Tourism. World Tourism Day (September 27) with the theme of 2024 being “Tourism and Peace”. This theme is very timely because the continuous outbreak of conflicts is threatening peace, hindering the recovery and sustainable growth of economies in general and the tourism industry in particular.

In his message on World Tourism Day, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the link between tourism and peace. Mr. Guterres said that tourism increases the interdependence of economies, thereby encouraging cooperation and development. Mr. Guterres also said that every tourist can become an ambassador contributing to the efforts to unite countries. As the head of the United Nations called for, the international community needs to join hands to exploit the potential of the tourism industry to build bridges between cultures, contributing to ensuring peace and prosperity for all people.

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