Destinations' openness to international travel has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels following the lifting of COVID-19 related travel restrictions. There is decline in traditional visa requirements with fewer people worldwide now require a traditional visa to travel, falling from 77% in 2008 to 59% in 2018, and then to 47% in 2023. About 21% of the world population does not need any form of visa, an increase from 17% in 2008 and 20% in 2018. About 14% of the world population can apply for visa on arrival, an increase from 6% in 2008 and 15% in 2018. About 18% of the world population can apply for eVisas, an increase from 3% in 2013 and 7% in 2018.

The report looks at visa regulations for tourism by region, highlighting Asia and the Pacific had the highest openness score of all world regions. The most open sub-regions are South East Asia, East Africa and the Caribbean. The greatest increase in openness since the last report in 2018 was observed in South Asia and West Africa. The most restrictive regions remain Central and North Africa, North America and Northern and Western Europe. Visa exemptions are particularly prevalent in the Caribbean and Central America. Visa on arrival policies is common in East Africa, South Asia, South East Asia and West Africa. Traditional visa requests in the Middle East decreased from 71% of the global population in 2015 to 57% in 2023. eVisas are prevalent in West and East Africa and South Asia.

Travel & Tourism to Break All Records in 2024: WTTC

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is projecting a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in 2024, with the sector’s global economic contribution set to reach an all-time high of US$ 11.1 trillion. According to the global tourism body’s 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR), Travel & Tourism will contribute an additional US$ 770 billion over its previous record, stamping its authority as a global economic powerhouse, generating one in every 10 dollars worldwide. As the global sector soars past its pre-pandemic prosperity, WTTC expects 142 countries of 185 analysed will be outperforming previous national records.

In partnership with Oxford Economic, WTTC’s latest EIR showcases a sector briming with opportunities, underpinning almost 348 million jobs globally. This represents an increase of more than 13.6 million jobs compared to its highest point in 2019.

International visitor spending is expected to come within touching distance of the 2019 peak, to reach US$ 1.89 trillion, while domestic tourists are forecast to spend more than in any year on record to hit US$ 5.4 trillion.

Representing 9.1% of global GDP at just over US$ 9.9 trillion in 2023, Travel & Tourism’s financial footprint was the largest it’s been since the golden year of travel in 2019, trailing its peak by a mere 4%. The sector also bolstered its workforce by an additional 27.4 million, propelling the total to nearly 330 million jobs worldwide.

International spending increased by 33.1% to reach US$ 1.63 trillion, underscoring a vibrant comeback story for many countries around the world, with domestic spending increasing by more than 18% to reach almost US$ 5 trillion.

2023 set the stage, demonstrating the unwavering passion for travel, paving the way for a record-breaking year in 2024.

This growth comes despite two of the world’s biggest tourism markets lagging in terms of international visitor spend, with both the U.S. and China seeing a far slower return of international tourist spends.

Last year in the U.S., international visitor spending remained more than a quarter below the peak of 2019, while China’s visitor spend remained almost 60% down.

Outlook

The report underscores the pivotal role of visa policy improvements in fostering tourism growth. Key recommendations include increased integration of tourism perspectives into visa strategies, targeted visa-exemption programs for low-risk traveler markets and expanded visa on arrival facilities. In addition, clear communication on visa policies is vital, along with a streamlined visa application process, accelerated processing times and optimized entry procedures for an enhanced visitor experience.

WTTC is forecasting a promising future for the next decade, characterized by robust growth and unparalleled career opportunities. By 2034, the sector will supercharge the global economy with a staggering US$ 16 trillion, making up 11.4% of the entire economic landscape. This booming industry is also set to be a job creation juggernaut, providing employment for 449 million people worldwide. Nearly 12.2% of the workforce will be powering this vibrant sector, showcasing Travel & Tourism’s pivotal role in global employment. With more than three quarters of the countries analysed expected to exceed the high point of 2019, in terms of GDP contribution, Travel & Tourism is on the brink of its most transformative era yet, promising prosperity, innovation, and connection on a scale yet to see.