Global tourism is experiencing spectacular growth.

"Blooming" is the word most frequently mentioned when discussing the development of the global tourism industry in recent times. With its spectacular breakthrough, the "smokeless industry" has added many bright colors to the gloomy picture of the world economy and become an important driving force for growth.

In a recently published report, the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) expressed optimism about the bright prospects of the tourism industry in 2025, with projected growth of 3 to 5%. This is a continuation of the achievements that the global tourism industry has garnered in recent years.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized that in 2024, the "tourism industry" will have completed its recovery from the shock caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, recording up to 1.4 billion international visitors, equivalent to the level of 2019, before Covid-19 paralyzed global tourism.

Europe was the region that attracted the most international tourists, with 747 million visitors. Among them, with major events such as the Olympic Games and the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France topped the list of most popular destinations. Besides Europe, the number of international visitors to the Asia-Pacific, Americas, and Africa also saw impressive growth.

Experts believe that strong demand for tourism, expanded air connectivity, and supportive policies such as relaxed visa requirements are the main reasons for the robust growth of the tourism industry. This breakthrough is reflected in revenue, with total international tourism revenue in 2024 reaching US$1.6 trillion, a 4% increase compared to 2019 and 3% higher than in 2023.

This revenue stream is a "boost" for the global economy, which has been rocked by numerous turbulent events such as soaring inflation and energy prices, and increasing political instability. The spectacular recovery of the tourism industry not only positively impacts small businesses and the job market, but also makes a significant contribution to the budgets of many countries.

Notably, the number of international tourists exceeding the target generated over $52.8 billion in revenue for Thailand in 2024. In Cyprus, with attracting four times the number of tourists compared to its population, tourism is expected to contribute approximately 21% of the country's GDP in 2024.

While the immense benefits of tourism to economies are undeniable, tourist overcrowding has also become a concern, leading to negative impacts on local lives and the environment, and posing a challenging problem for sustainable tourism development.

In Greece, although tourism plays a vital role in the economy, the excessive number of tourists has caused overcrowding at popular destinations. For example, the island of Santorini in Greece can only accommodate about 8,000 tourists per day, but the actual number exceeded 17,000. Japan is also facing a similar situation.

A recent survey conducted by the Japan Development Bank revealed that 32% of tourists felt uncomfortable due to the overcrowding at tourist attractions in Japan.

In addition to favorable conditions, the global tourism industry also faces several potential challenges such as rising transportation and accommodation costs, volatile oil prices, geopolitical tensions, extreme weather, and labor shortages.

In this context, experts emphasize that balancing growth and sustainable development will be a key factor determining the future development of the tourism industry. Recognizing this, many countries around the world are moving towards sustainable tourism development.

With positive signs of growth and a strong shift towards sustainable tourism, 2025 promises to be another prosperous year for the global tourism industry. Amidst numerous headwinds facing the global economy, tourism is expected to continue to be a driving force for growth.

NGOC HUONG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/du-lich-toan-cau-but-toc-ngoan-muc-post859740.html