Several countries have emerged as the fastest growing tourist destinations, each boasting their own unique attractions and significant increases in tourist numbers.
In the first quarter of 2024, Asia welcomed 82% of international tourists compared to the first quarter of 2019. The revival of tourism in China is also contributing to tourism growth in the region.
China was initially heavily affected by COVID-19, but has since relaxed many of the travel restrictions that were imposed since January 2020. In addition, China has implemented a visa-free entry policy for countries such as Malaysia and Thailand, as well as various EU countries.
In contrast, Asia-Pacific has struggled to rebuild its tourism industry, with international tourist arrivals reaching only 65% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023. In contrast, Europe, the Americas and Africa have been able to recover to at least 90% of 2019 tourist numbers.
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The data highlights the uneven global recovery of tourism. Notably, the Middle East will be the first region to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2023, welcoming 87.1 million international tourists, up 22% from 2019.
In particular, tourism in the Middle East continued to surge in the first quarter of 2024, with international tourists up 36% compared to the first quarter of 2019.
Yahoo Finance leveraged UNWTO data on international tourist arrivals to compare figures for the first quarter of 2024 and full year 2023 with 2019. Countries that received fewer than one million international tourists in 2019 or 2023 were excluded from the analysis. This methodology helped identify countries with the highest rates of growth in tourist arrivals.
Qatar — Score: 9.16
Qatar tops the list as the fastest growing destination in 2024. The country’s tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 are up 177% from the first quarter of 2019. Tourist arrivals in 2023 are up 89% from 2019.
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Qatar welcomed more than four million international tourists in 2023, driven mainly by high-profile sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup 2022 and Formula 1. In the first four months of 2024, Qatar is set to welcome more than two million international tourists, with the capital, Doha, becoming a major attraction. The tourism boom has also attracted significant interest from major cruise lines offering trips to Qatar’s shores, including Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and MSC Cruises Ltd.
Albania — score 6.92
Albania has emerged as a top destination for travelers in 2024. The country’s tourist numbers in the first quarter of 2024 are up 121% compared to the first quarter of 2019, while tourist numbers in 2023 are up 56% over 2019.
Albania stands out as an ideal destination for budget-conscious travelers and those looking to explore Europe. The country is home to several World Heritage Sites, an abundance of modern architecture, and vibrant beach towns. Affordable prices and a diverse range of attractions have contributed greatly to a significant increase in tourist numbers, making Albania an attractive choice for travelers this year.
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Saudi Arabia — score: 6.36
Tourist arrivals in Saudi Arabia in the first quarter of 2024 are up 98% compared to the first quarter of 2019, and for 2023 as a whole, tourist arrivals are up 56% compared to 2019.
The rapid growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is driven by the country’s importance in the Islamic world and significant government investment to strengthen its tourism infrastructure. Major cities such as Jeddah and Riyadh are at the heart of this expansion. With an ambitious goal of attracting 70 million international tourists by 2030, Saudi Arabia is making great strides in the global tourism sector.
Salvador — Score: 5.75
El Salvador is seeing a 90% increase in tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019, and a 40% increase for the whole of 2023 compared to 2019.
Known for its active volcanic landscape, El Salvador has seen a significant increase in tourism. Despite U.S. travel advisories warning U.S. citizens to reconsider traveling to El Salvador, the country’s unique geography continues to attract adventurous tourists. This increased interest has led to an increase in El Salvador’s popularity as a travel destination.
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Bulgaria — score: 5.01
In the first quarter of 2024, Bulgaria saw a notable increase in tourist numbers, with an increase of 38% over the first quarter of 2019. Moreover, the total tourist numbers in 2023 increased by 62% over the 2019 record.
Even before the pandemic, Bulgaria faced political challenges and a decline in international tourism, but its tourism sector has made an impressive recovery. Initially, Brexit in 2020 hit tourism hard. However, Bulgaria’s recent accession to the Schengen Area has breathed new life into the industry. This revitalization has spurred significant growth, making Bulgaria an even more attractive destination for travel in 2024.
