EN THE RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISM TO THE LEVEL BEFORE THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The present study looks at the return of international tourism to pre-Covid-19 levels. Since the spring of 2020, travel bans and global economic challenges have led to a reduction in tourism activities and services around the world, thus affecting employment and income.

Despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical shocks, the tourism industry is close to reaching pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating its resilience and key role in the global economy. The research focuses on the industry's global recovery five years after the health crisis, demonstrating the sustainability of the sector. High transport and accommodation costs are the two main challenges currently affecting international tourism. According to the Economic Impact Report (EIR), prepared by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) together with Oxford Economics estimates that 2025 will be a record year for tourism, with tourism's contribution to global GDP exceeding the peak in 2019 by approx. 710 billion euros. For 2025, the UNWTO forecasts a full recovery (+2% compared to 2019), with expectations based on increased demand, improved air connectivity and easier access to visas. Despite global challenges, international tourism grew by 5% in the first half (H1) of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, and by about 4% more than in 2019, which entitles us to hope that pre-pandemic levels will be exceeded this year.