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read moreThe latest report on Tourism Trends and Policies from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OEDC) has highlighted the industry’s continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with international tourist arrivals in 2023 exceeding pre-pandemic levels in many OECD countries.
However, the report from the global intergovernmental organisation shows that the pace of recovery has been uneven and charts how the industry faces renewed challenges that may weigh down on growth.
Analysing the latest tourism performance and policy trends across 50 OECD countries and partner economies, the report underscores the sector's pivotal role in driving economic prosperity, jobs and well-being, with tourism´s direct contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) bouncing back to 3.9% in 2022 in 20 OECD countries with available data, just half a percentage point down on 2019.
Tourism also contributed 14.8% to service exports in 2022, still below pre-pandemic levels, but up from 9.7% in 2021. The evidence suggests that the recovery has continued since, spurred by the recovery in international arrivals and strong domestic performance.
In Colombia (up 34%) and Portugal (up 12%), international tourist arrivals reached new highs, exceeding pre-pandemic levels in 2023, but the recovery has been slower in countries like Australia, Finland, Japan and New Zealand.
In addition, it advises that the slower than expected rebound in outbound travel from China has constrained recovery, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, along with delayed border openings and reduced air connectivity. Geopolitical conflicts and tensions, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and evolving conflicts in the Middle East, have also weighed down on tourism flows and the wider tourism economy.
For those countries neighbouring Russia and Ukraine, the impacts have been particularly significant. For example, international tourism arrivals to Finland remained 22% lower in 2023 compared to 2019 levels The return of international tourists has been widely welcomed. Indeed, tourism’s share of services exports in 2022 (14.8%) was 5.1 percentage points higher than in 2021 (albeit still 5.6 percentage points below pre-pandemic levels).
The report notes that, overall, tourism has rebounded strongly following sharp declines in 2020/21 and anticipates that full recovery to pre-pandemic levels is anticipated by the end of 2024, buoyed by positive traveller and business sentiment.
Employment
It also advises that despite the positive economic impacts associated with the industry’s recovery, strong demand and rapid growth continue to create challenges. Businesses struggle to attract and retain workers despite employment levels in OECD countries having stabilised at a level higher than before the pandemic.
Employment in the accommodation and food services, which often account for almost half of the tourism workforce, remained 5.3% below pre-Covid levels in 2022 across OECD countries, while job vacancy rates in 2023 were higher on average than in other parts of the economy in many countries in 2023
Strong growth in tourism has seen some destinations struggle to manage demand and the associated impacts on local communities and the environment. While tourism can play a key role in fostering economic development that creates decent jobs, enhances social cohesion, and contributes positively to the shared interests of tourists, residents, and businesses, unplanned growth can lead to unbalanced economic, social and environmental impacts. This is putting pressure on the social licence for tourism.
The report goes on to recommend that governments implement policies to:
1. Empower destinations to diversify and better manage visitor flows, to deliver better outcomes for the environment and local communities.
2. Integrate tourism workers' needs into broader development strategies, ensuring access to affordable housing and transportation in remote areas.
3. Support tourism businesses to access financial aid and skills to adopt digital solutions, green business operations, and develop innovative work practices.
Click here to access the OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2024 report (co-funded by the European Union).
Click here for more information on the OECD’s work in tourism.
16th July 2024 - Big Red Group data shows 200% increase in demand for wellness tourism
14th July 2024 - Australian Tourism Export Council launches its 2024 ELITE program
8th July 2024 - Singapore Tourism Board looks for backer for Marina South wellness attraction
3rd July 2024 - PHIST sustainable tourism event will encourage confrontation of conventional thinking
25th June 2024 - Adventure travel ‘a solution’ for overtourism
23rd June 2024 - Japanese tourism operators explore higher charges for foreign visitors
22nd June 2024 - World Travel and Tourism Council predicts surge in Australian tourism in 2024
3rd May 2024 - WTTC hotel sustainability program verifies 3,400 properties
7th March 2024 - WTTC says sustainability reporting is no longer negotiable for tourism businesses
2nd March 2024 - UN Tourism and WTTC laud Saudi Arabia for welcoming over 100 million tourists
19th January 2024 - WTTC and Biosphere partner to standardise International Hotel Sustainability
29th October 2023 - OECD urges strong medicine for Australian economy
5th October 2023 - 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum injects new ideas towards Sustainable Tourism
27th September 2023 - Global tourism grows to 84% of pre-pandemic levels
20th July 2023 - WTTC reiterate the importance of women’s engagement in global tourism
22nd June 2023 - UNWTO and World Travel and Tourism Council Sign Historic MOU
20th June 2023 - Asia-Pacific nations back UNWTO tourism safety initiative
27th April 2023 - WTTC research shows global tourism approaching its 2019 peak
21st March 2023 - New documentary spotlights overtourism’s detrimental impact on environment and wildlife
27th December 2021 - Global tourism leaders, scholars and entrepreneurs focus on recovery via virtual conference
28th October 2021 - Global Wellness Summit reports that fighting overtourism moves from talk to action
7th October 2021 - WTTC research reveals global loss of 62 million tourism jobs
20th January 2021 - WTTC predicts over 100 million global tourism jobs could be recovered during 2021
12th December 2014 - Anger over Australia’s withdrawl from UNWTO
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