In Europe and the Americas, foreign visitor arrivals surged by 19 percent and 17 percent, respectively, last year over 2020.
In the Middle East, however, arrivals declined by 24 percent in 2021, while in the Asia-Pacific region they were 65 percent below 2020 levels, and 94 percent down on pre-pandemic levels. The statement said tourism professionals “see better prospects” for this year after turbulence in the early months because of the Omicron wave.
The agency predicts a 30 to 78 percent rise in international arrivals this year over 2021, while remaining far below 2019 levels.Many countries are highly dependent on tourism and are eagerly awaiting a return to normal. “The economic contribution of tourism in 2021 is estimated at $1.9 trillion , above the $1.6 trillion in 2020, but still well below the pre-pandemic value of $3.5 trillion,” the statement noted.
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