Western Europe has scored the lowest percentage change in the number of international tourist arrivals comparing 2021 and 2019 levels, indicating the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the tourism sector. A similar flow of international tourists was noticed in 2020 when 60.9 per cent of pre-pandemic levels of tourism were recorded in this region of Europe. This region, including countries like Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovenia, continues to be affected by concerning numbers of international tourist arrivals, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine is expected to impact the new arrivals’ confidence. Nonetheless, Northern Europe has scored the least progress out of all, as the foreign arrivals have scored only 25 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, remaining three quarters behind pre-pandemic levels. In 2021, international tourist arrivals stood behind 2019 levels by 61.1 per cent in North America, Sub-Saharan Africa (71.1 per cent), the Middle East (74.6 per cent), and North Africa (76 per cent).

Source: The North Africa Journal June 15, 2022 11:55 UTC