Strong Rebound Research Articles

Assessment of carbonate rocks for engineering applications considering mineralogical, geochemical and geotechnical attributes

Due to continuous need of materials for infrastructural development, geomaterials of different origins are used where available. Vast majority of these materials in some countries are predominantly metamorphic and sedimentary in nature. Many of these rocks are of carbonate origin and they are encountered by practitioners worldwide. Therefore, it is very crucial to evaluate the prospect of using carbonate rocks for different applications. In this paper, laboratory tests were conducted on soft and hard carbonate rocks in order to assess their usefulness taking into consideration the mineralogy, geochemistry and geotechnics. The mineralogy is majorly calcite, the fabric is characterized by aggregation of particles to form clusters and the chemical composition is predominantly calcium oxide. The hard carbonate rocks have low porosity, medium dynamic fragmentation, medium to low water absorption, slightly strong rebound hardness value, high uniaxial compressive strength and soft carbonate rocks have low in situ specific volume and compressibility. The carbonate rocks are suitable for cement production. The hard carbonate rocks can be used for infrastructure purposes. The soft carbonate rocks are suitable for use as foundation fill materials and suitable for use as sub-grade materials. However, practitioners must be cautious when using this material as sub-base materials.

Climate politics in global Hobbesian Jungle.

Climate change, largely triggered by human-induced greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions, seems unstoppable. There was a strong rebound of anthropogenic emissions of CO 2, the preponderant GHG in terms of contribution to global warming, around the world after the COVID-19 lockdown. Also, there is still no widely accepted international treaty on curbing the anthropogenic emissions of CH 4 and N 2O, the second and third predominant GHG, respectively, so far. Thereby, prima facie, in respect to mitigating climate change, currently, humans have no aces up their sleeves. It seems that current temperature rise is not high enough to take alarm until the occurrence of tipping point. Climate-related international treaties, such as 2016 Paris agreement, are compromises among conflicting geopolitical pressures. However, currently, the climate treaties show little mandatory binding force on the signatories who are able to violate and then get off scot-free, thus may end up like a nostrum. Throughout the European history, I find that the only way, if at all, to achieve the peace or obedience of a treaty is via balancing powers, embodied in Bismarck's Realpolitik of Germany and Richelieu's Raison d'état of France. Similarly, the Chinese history in East Asia proved the significance of unadulterated ideological neutrality and Darwinian adaptability in the kaleidoscope of evolving circumstances in maintaining order and enforcement of international treaties through balancing the power of rivalries to constrain ever-recurring challengers for equilibrium. A successful policy needs to make a thorough analysis of all relevant factors to form a long-term strategic notion. Then, statesmen need to distill an array of nebulous, always contradictory options into a tenacious, controllable direction. Thereby, I suggest that, for better curbing global warming, climate agreements or climate club be incorporated into an overall geopolitical framework among the international communities.

Penalty shootouts and bitcoin trading

ABSTRACT Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and bitcoin is a global asset. Penalty shootouts represent an important stage in a soccer match and generate an enormous amount of public interest and attention. Bitcoin trading experiences a significant drop in volume and volatility during penalty shootouts at major international soccer tournaments. After the conclusion of penalty shootouts, the intensity of bitcoin trading exhibits a swift and a strong rebound. Significant fluctuations in trading volume and volatility of bitcoin around penalty shootouts are primarily driven by the variation in number of trades rather than in trade size.

New atypical epidemiological profile of parvovirus B19 revealed by molecular screening of blood donations, France, winter 2023/24

In France, blood donations are tested in pools of 96 samples for parvovirus B19 (B19V) DNA to discard plasma for fractionation when it contains high viral loads. Between January 2015 and March 2024, B19V-positive donations decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a strong rebound in 2023 and unusually high circulation during winter 2023/24 (ca 10 times higher December 2023–March 2024 vs the pre-pandemic period). Variations over time are probably related to measures implemented to limit SARS-CoV-2 spread.

New atypical epidemiological profile of parvovirus B19 revealed by molecular screening of blood donations, France, winter 2023/24.

In France, blood donations are tested in pools of 96 samples for parvovirus B19 (B19V) DNA to discard plasma for fractionation when it contains high viral loads. Between January 2015 and March 2024, B19V-positive donations decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a strong rebound in 2023 and unusually high circulation during winter 2023/24 (ca 10 times higher December 2023-March 2024 vs the pre-pandemic period). Variations over time are probably related to measures implemented to limit SARS-CoV-2 spread.

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer and Statistical Annex, January 2024

International tourism to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2024 An estimated 1286 million international tourists (overnight visitors) were recorded around the world in 2023, an increase of 34% over 2022. International tourism recovered 88% of prepandemic levels, supported by strong pent-up demand. The Middle East led the recovery by regions in relative terms, being the only region to overcome pre-pandemic levels with arrivals 22% above 2019. Europe reached 94% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, while Africa recovered 96% and the Americas 90%. Asia and the Pacific reached 65% of pre-pandemic levels, with a gradual recovery since the start of 2023. Four subregions: North Africa, Central America (both +5%), Southern Mediterranean Europe and the Caribbean (both +1%) exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Total export revenues from tourism (including passenger transport) are estimated at USD 1.6 trillion in 2023, almost 95% of the USD 1.7 trillion recorded in 2019. Preliminary estimates of tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP) point to USD 3.3 trillion in 2023, or 3% of global GDP, the same level as in 2019, driven by both domestic and international travel. Following a strong rebound in 2023, international tourism is expected to fully recover pre-pandemic levels in 2024, with initial estimates pointing to 2% growth above 2019 levels in international tourist arrivals. The positive outlook for the sector is reflected in the latest UNWTO Tourism Confidence Index survey, with 67% of tourism professionals indicating better or much better prospects for 2024 compared to 2023. The unleashing of remaining pent-up demand, increased air connectivity, and a stronger recovery of Asian markets and destinations are expected to underpin a full recovery by the end of 2024. Economic and geopolitical challenges continue to pose significant risks to the sustained recovery of international tourism and confidence levels.

Barómetro OMT del Turismo Mundial y anexo estadístico, enero 2024

International tourism to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2024 An estimated 1286 million international tourists (overnight visitors) were recorded around the world in 2023, an increase of 34% over 2022. International tourism recovered 88% of prepandemic levels, supported by strong pent-up demand. The Middle East led the recovery by regions in relative terms, being the only region to overcome pre-pandemic levels with arrivals 22% above 2019. Europe reached 94% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, while Africa recovered 96% and the Americas 90%. Asia and the Pacific reached 65% of pre-pandemic levels, with a gradual recovery since the start of 2023. Four subregions: North Africa, Central America (both +5%), Southern Mediterranean Europe and the Caribbean (both +1%) exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Total export revenues from tourism (including passenger transport) are estimated at USD 1.6 trillion in 2023, almost 95% of the USD 1.7 trillion recorded in 2019. Preliminary estimates of tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP) point to USD 3.3 trillion in 2023, or 3% of global GDP, the same level as in 2019, driven by both domestic and international travel. Following a strong rebound in 2023, international tourism is expected to fully recover pre-pandemic levels in 2024, with initial estimates pointing to 2% growth above 2019 levels in international tourist arrivals. The positive outlook for the sector is reflected in the latest UNWTO Tourism Confidence Index survey, with 67% of tourism professionals indicating better or much better prospects for 2024 compared to 2023. The unleashing of remaining pent-up demand, increased air connectivity, and a stronger recovery of Asian markets and destinations are expected to underpin a full recovery by the end of 2024. Economic and geopolitical challenges continue to pose significant risks to the sustained recovery of international tourism and confidence levels.

Baromètre OMT du tourisme mondial et annexe statistique, janvier 2024

International tourism to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2024 An estimated 1286 million international tourists (overnight visitors) were recorded around the world in 2023, an increase of 34% over 2022. International tourism recovered 88% of prepandemic levels, supported by strong pent-up demand. The Middle East led the recovery by regions in relative terms, being the only region to overcome pre-pandemic levels with arrivals 22% above 2019. Europe reached 94% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, while Africa recovered 96% and the Americas 90%. Asia and the Pacific reached 65% of pre-pandemic levels, with a gradual recovery since the start of 2023. Four subregions: North Africa, Central America (both +5%), Southern Mediterranean Europe and the Caribbean (both +1%) exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Total export revenues from tourism (including passenger transport) are estimated at USD 1.6 trillion in 2023, almost 95% of the USD 1.7 trillion recorded in 2019. Preliminary estimates of tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP) point to USD 3.3 trillion in 2023, or 3% of global GDP, the same level as in 2019, driven by both domestic and international travel. Following a strong rebound in 2023, international tourism is expected to fully recover pre-pandemic levels in 2024, with initial estimates pointing to 2% growth above 2019 levels in international tourist arrivals. The positive outlook for the sector is reflected in the latest UNWTO Tourism Confidence Index survey, with 67% of tourism professionals indicating better or much better prospects for 2024 compared to 2023. The unleashing of remaining pent-up demand, increased air connectivity, and a stronger recovery of Asian markets and destinations are expected to underpin a full recovery by the end of 2024. Economic and geopolitical challenges continue to pose significant risks to the sustained recovery of international tourism and confidence levels.

Utilization of foreign investment in the productive service industry in Hubei province, China and its optimization counter-measures.

The Global Investment Report 2023 revealed that after a sharp decline in 2020 and a strong rebound in 2021, global foreign direct investment (FDI) declined by 12 percent to $1.3 trillion in 2022. However, in developing countries, FDI increased by 4% to $916 billion, a record share of more than 70% of global flows. The number of greenfield investment projects in developing countries increased by 37 percent and international project finance transactions by 5 percent. Foreign investment from China, the second largest recipient of foreign investment globally, increased by 5 percent. The service industry has become the mainstream industry in the global FDI structure. The global industry is accelerating its transformation to a "service-based economy," international FDI in productive service industries has become an essential means of industrial transfer in developed countries and a meaningful way to upgrade the industrial structure and high-quality development in emerging economies. As a representative province in central China, Hubei Province has unique advantages in human capital, factor cost, and market potential, which provide preferential conditions to attract foreign investment. This paper first introduced the concept of the productive service industry, based on the relevant statistical data from 2011 to 2022, focused on the current situation of foreign investment utilization in five major sub-sectors of the productive service industry in Hubei Province in the past ten years, and empirically investigated the impact of foreign investment utilization in five major sub-sectors of the productive service industry on the economic growth of Hubei Province, and obtained that the level of foreign investment attraction varied significantly among the regions in Hubei Province. The three productive service industries, namely transportation, storage and postal services, information transmission, software and information technology services, and financial services, played a significant role in the active attraction and optimal utilization of foreign capital and the economic development of Hubei Province. Based on this, it was proposed to build a market-oriented rule of law and internationalized business environment, improve the infrastructure construction in different regions of the province, focus on the training of professional talents for the development of productive service industries, and pay attention to the improvement of independent innovation capacity.

Evaluation of the effect of a low-carbon green city policy on carbon abatement in South Korea: A city-level analysis based on PSM-DID and LSA models

Climate change response is a long-term, stage-specific global challenge that necessitates ongoing research on its routes. Although previous research has examined policy planning and indicator development for a low-carbon transition based on a variety of macropolicies, more research is needed to determine whether such policies can help reduce carbon emissions and accelerate urban transitions. Based on 2015–2021 panel data covering 17 South Korean first-level administrative districts, we employ a propensity score matching-difference in difference (PSM-DID) model and a mediating effect model to address issues of interregional development faults and policy feasibility and to investigate the impacts of the low-carbon green city (LCGC) policy in different regions on urban carbon emissions. To address the development gap and policy feasibility across regions, this study investigates the mechanism and path of the effect of the LCGC policy on urban carbon dioxide emissions in various regions, ultimately incorporating local spatial autocorrelation (LSA) to investigate the characteristics of the differences at the spatial level. The findings demonstrate that (1) the present regulations effectively limit total urban carbon emissions but are characterized by strong rebound elasticity and a short period. (2) Energy use and renewable energy production have the greatest influence on reducing total urban carbon emissions. (3) The local spatial autocorrelation clustering characteristics present the clustering characteristics of being high in the east and low in the north. The HH agglomerations have the largest coverage and are mainly distributed in the southeast and southwest directions of the study area. The results of the study provide a decision-making basis and theoretical support for relevant decision-makers to formulate differentiated carbon emission reduction policies and to eliminate the current transition dilemma with a new research methodology.

Systematic Review of Myopia Progression after Cessation of Optical Interventions for Myopia Control.

Despite high discontinuation rates for myopia optical interventions, limited attention has been given to the potential rebound effects post-discontinuation. This systematic review aims to assess the extent of the rebound effects following the cessation of common clinical optical myopia-control interventions in children. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted from inception to October 2023. The rebound effects, defined as changes in the axial length or spherical equivalent during and after treatment cessation, were categorized into four levels. These studies encompassed 703 participants and spanned from 2019 to 2023, with durations of treatment and cessation ranging from 6 months to 3.5 years and from 2 weeks to 5 years, respectively. This review, encompassing 14 studies, revealed a predominant strong rebound effect in orthokeratology (8 studies), a weak rebound effect in multifocal soft contact lenses (4 studies), and a variable rebound effect in peripheral-plus spectacle lenses (2 studies). Notably, with the increasing cessation duration, the rebound effects diminished, potentially linked to the reversal of choroidal thickening and the disappearance of peripheral myopic defocus. In conclusion, a temporal trend of rebound effects exists in all three myopia optical interventions, possibly contributing to their myopia control mechanisms.

Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of bubble collapse in water: Effects of system size, water model, and nitrogen

Molecular dynamics simulations in the microcanonical ensemble are performed to study the collapse of a bubble in liquid water using the single-site mW and the four-site TIP4P/2005 water models. To study system size effects, simulations for pure water systems are performed using periodically replicated simulation boxes with linear dimensions, L, ranging from 32 to 512 nm with the largest systems containing 8.7 × 106 and 4.5 × 109 molecules for the TIP4P/2005 and mW water models, respectively. The computationally more efficient mW water model allows us to reach converging behavior when the bubble dynamics results are plotted in reduced units, and the limiting behavior can be obtained through linear extrapolation in L−1. Qualitative differences are observed between simulations with the mW and TIP4P/2005 water models, but they can be explained by the models’ differences in predicted viscosity and surface tension. Although bubble collapse occurs on time scales of only hundreds of picoseconds, the system sizes used here are sufficiently large to obtain bubble dynamics consistent with the Rayleigh–Plesset equation when using the models’ thermophysical properties as input. For the conditions explored here, extreme heating of the interfacial water molecules near the time of collapse is observed for the larger mW water systems (but the model underpredicts the viscosity), whereas heating is less pronounced for the TIP4P/2005 water systems because its larger viscosity contribution slows the collapse dynamics. The presence of nitrogen within the bubble only starts to affect bubble dynamics near the very end of the initial collapse, leading to an incomplete collapse and strong rebound for the mW water model. Although nitrogen is non-condensable at 300 K, it becomes highly compressed and reaches a liquid-like density near the collapse point. We find that the dissolution of nitrogen is much slower than the movement of the collapsing water front, and the re-expansion of the dense nitrogen droplet gives rise to bubble rebound. The incompatibility of the collapse and dissolution time scales should be considered for continuum-scale modeling of bubble dynamics. We also confirm that the diffusion coefficient for dissolved nitrogen is insensitive to pressure as the liquid transitions from a compressed to a stretched state.

Control of Helicobacter pylori with engineered probiotics secreting selective guided antimicrobial peptides.

Helicobacter pylori is the primary cause of 78% of gastric cancer cases, providing an opportunity to prevent cancer by controlling a single bacterial pathogen within the complex gastric microbiota. We developed highly selective antimicrobial agents against H. pylori by fusing an H. pylori-binding guide peptide (MM1) to broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides. The common dairy probiotic Lactococcus lactis was then engineered to secrete these guided antimicrobial peptides (gAMPs). When co-cultured in vitro with H. pylori, the gAMP probiotics lost no toxicity compared to unguided AMP probiotics against the target, H. pylori, while losing >90% of their toxicity against two tested off-target bacteria. To test binding to H. pylori, the MM1 guide was fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP), resulting in enhanced binding compared to unguided GFP as measured by flow cytometry. In contrast, MM1-GFP showed no increased binding over GFP against five different off-target bacteria. These highly selective gAMP probiotics were then tested by oral gavage in mice infected with H. pylori. As a therapy, the probiotics outperformed antibiotic treatment, effectively eliminating H. pylori in just 5 days, and also protected mice from challenge infection as a prophylactic. As expected, the gAMP probiotics were as toxic against H. pylori as the unguided AMP probiotics. However, a strong rebound in gastric species diversity was found with both the selective gAMP probiotics and the non-selective AMP probiotics. Eliminating the extreme microbial dysbiosis caused by H. pylori appeared to be the major factor in diversity recovery. IMPORTANCE Alternatives to antibiotics in the control of Helicobacter pylori and the prevention of gastric cancer are needed. The high prevalence of H. pylori in the human population, the induction of microbial dysbiosis by antibiotics, and increasing antibiotic resistance call for a more sustainable approach. By selectively eliminating the pathogen and retaining the commensal community, H. pylori control may be achieved without adverse health outcomes. Antibiotics are typically used as a therapeutic post-infection, but a more targeted, less disruptive approach could be used as a long-term prophylactic against H. pylori or, by extension, against other gastrointestinal pathogens. Furthermore, the modular nature of the guided antimicrobial peptide (gAMP) technology allows for the substitution of different guides for different pathogens and the use of a cocktail of gAMPs to avoid the development of pathogen resistance.

Id2 GABAergic interneurons comprise a neglected fourth major group of cortical inhibitory cells.

Cortical GABAergic interneurons (INs) represent a diverse population of mainly locally projecting cells that provide specialized forms of inhibition to pyramidal neurons and other INs. Most recent work on INs has focused on subtypes distinguished by expression of Parvalbumin (PV), Somatostatin (SST), or Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP). However, a fourth group that includes neurogliaform cells (NGFCs) has been less well characterized due to a lack of genetic tools. Here, we show that these INs can be accessed experimentally using intersectional genetics with the gene Id2. We find that outside of layer 1 (L1), the majority of Id2 INs are NGFCs that express high levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and exhibit a late-spiking firing pattern, with extensive local connectivity. While much sparser, non-NGFC Id2 INs had more variable properties, with most cells corresponding to a diverse group of INs that strongly expresses the neuropeptide CCK. In vivo, using silicon probe recordings, we observed several distinguishing aspects of NGFC activity, including a strong rebound in activity immediately following the cortical down state during NREM sleep. Our study provides insights into IN diversity and NGFC distribution and properties, and outlines an intersectional genetics approach for further study of this underappreciated group of INs.

Baromètre OMT du tourisme mondial et annexe statistique, mai 2023

Seuls les principaux chapitres de la publication ont été traduits. Le reste de la publication figure dans la langue originale (Anglais). International tourism recovered 63% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022, with Europe and Middle East in the lead International tourism saw stronger than expected results in 2022, backed by large pent-up demand and the lifting or relaxation of travel restrictions in a large number of countries. Over 900 million tourists travelled internationally in 2022, double those in 2021 though still 37% fewer than in 2019. International tourism recovered 63% of pre-pandemic levels, in line with UNWTO’s scenarios published in May 2022. Europe, the world’s largest destination region, recorded 585 million arrivals in 2022 to reach nearly 80% of pre-pandemic levels (-21% over 2019). The Middle East enjoyed the strongest relative increase across regions in 2022 with arrivals climbing to 83% of pre-pandemic numbers (-17% versus 2019). Africa and the Americas both recovered about 65% of its pre-pandemic visitors, while Asia and the Pacific reached only 23%, due to stronger pandemic-related restrictions. By subregions, Western Europe (87%) and the Caribbean (84%) came closest to their pre-pandemic levels. The year 2022 saw a strong rebound in tourism spending, resulting in the recovery of pre-pandemic levels in income across many destinations. Looking ahead, international tourism is set to consolidate its recovery in 2023, backed by pent-up demand, particularly from Asia and the Pacific as destinations and markets open up. The UNWTO Panel of Experts survey indicates that 72% of respondents expect better performance in 2023. However, most experts (65%) also believe international tourism will not return to 2019 levels until 2024 or later. Based on UNWTO’s scenarios for 2023, international tourist arrivals could reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels this year, with Europe and the Middle East expected to reach those levels. However, important risks remain ahead, especially economic and geopolitical. Tourists are expected to increasingly seek value for money and travel close to home in response to the challenging economic environment.

Barómetro OMT del Turismo Mundial y anexo estadístico, mayo 2023

International tourism recovered 63% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022, with Europe and Middle East in the lead International tourism saw stronger than expected results in 2022, backed by large pent-up demand and the lifting or relaxation of travel restrictions in a large number of countries. Over 900 million tourists travelled internationally in 2022, double those in 2021 though still 37% fewer than in 2019. International tourism recovered 63% of pre-pandemic levels, in line with UNWTO’s scenarios published in May 2022. Europe, the world’s largest destination region, recorded 585 million arrivals in 2022 to reach nearly 80% of pre-pandemic levels (-21% over 2019). The Middle East enjoyed the strongest relative increase across regions in 2022 with arrivals climbing to 83% of pre-pandemic numbers (-17% versus 2019). Africa and the Americas both recovered about 65% of its pre-pandemic visitors, while Asia and the Pacific reached only 23%, due to stronger pandemic-related restrictions. By subregions, Western Europe (87%) and the Caribbean (84%) came closest to their pre-pandemic levels. The year 2022 saw a strong rebound in tourism spending, resulting in the recovery of pre-pandemic levels in income across many destinations. Looking ahead, international tourism is set to consolidate its recovery in 2023, backed by pent-up demand, particularly from Asia and the Pacific as destinations and markets open up. The UNWTO Panel of Experts survey indicates that 72% of respondents expect better performance in 2023. However, most experts (65%) also believe international tourism will not return to 2019 levels until 2024 or later. Based on UNWTO’s scenarios for 2023, international tourist arrivals could reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels this year, with Europe and the Middle East expected to reach those levels. However, important risks remain ahead, especially economic and geopolitical. Tourists are expected to increasingly seek value for money and travel close to home in response to the challenging economic environment.

Sweden

Sweden experienced a strong post-pandemic rebound in 2021–22 but is potentially heading into a recession. Global headwinds started to steadily put breaks on consumption and business confidence in the third quarter of 2022, as external demand weakened, and higher inflation and interest rates are increasing the burden on households and firms. A slightly negative GDP growth and a moderate decline in inflation are expected in 2023. The recovery will be gradual over the medium term, and inflation is expected to decelerate towards its 2 percent target, but the uncertainty surrounding this outlook is high.

St. Kitts and Nevis

Economic growth rebounded strongly in 2022 despite global headwinds. GDP is estimated to have grown by 9 percent in 2022 after contracting 14.5 percent in 2020 and 0.9 percent in 2021. The lifting of all COVID-related travel restrictions in August sparked a strong rebound in the tourism sector and across the economy. Yet economic activity is not back to pre-pandemic levels. Inflation picked up, increasing from 1.9 percent in 2021 to 3.8 percent in 2022, reaching the highest level in a decade. The authorities’ proactive policy response, facilitated by the fiscal buffers accumulated from a decade of prudent fiscal policy, helped shelter domestic prices from high global energy and food prices. These measures nonetheless took a heavy toll on fiscal accounts in 2022. The primary balance ex-CBI revenue and land buybacks, an indicator of the underlying fiscal stance, deteriorated to a deficit of 17 percent of GDP (vs. 15 percent in 2021). Large CBI inflows in 2022 helped finance this expansion, keeping public debt below the ECCU regional target of 60 percent of GDP. The current account deficit is estimated to have narrowed in 2022, supported by tourism recovery.

Baromètre OMT du tourisme mondial et annexe statistique, janvier 2022

International tourism recovered 63% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022, with Europe and Middle East in the lead International tourism saw stronger than expected results in 2022, backed by large pent-up demand and the lifting or relaxation of travel restrictions in a large number of countries. Over 900 million tourists travelled internationally in 2022, double those in 2021 though still 37% fewer than in 2019. International tourism recovered 63% of pre-pandemic levels, in line with UNWTO’s scenarios published in May 2022. Europe, the world’s largest destination region, recorded 585 million arrivals in 2022 to reach nearly 80% of pre-pandemic levels (-21% over 2019). The Middle East enjoyed the strongest relative increase across regions in 2022 with arrivals climbing to 83% of pre-pandemic numbers (-17% versus 2019). Africa and the Americas both recovered about 65% of its pre-pandemic visitors, while Asia and the Pacific reached only 23%, due to stronger pandemic-related restrictions. By subregions, Western Europe (87%) and the Caribbean (84%) came closest to their pre-pandemic levels. The year 2022 saw a strong rebound in tourism spending, resulting in the recovery of pre-pandemic levels in income across many destinations. Looking ahead, international tourism is set to consolidate its recovery in 2023, backed by pent-up demand, particularly from Asia and the Pacific as destinations and markets open up. The UNWTO Panel of Experts survey indicates that 72% of respondents expect better performance in 2023. However, most experts (65%) also believe international tourism will not return to 2019 levels until 2024 or later. Based on UNWTO’s scenarios for 2023, international tourist arrivals could reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels this year, with Europe and the Middle East expected to reach those levels. However, important risks remain ahead, especially economic and geopolitical. Tourists are expected to increasingly seek value for money and travel close to home in response to the challenging economic environment.

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer and Statistical Annex, January 2023

International tourism recovered 63% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022, with Europe and Middle East in the lead International tourism saw stronger than expected results in 2022, backed by large pent-up demand and the lifting or relaxation of travel restrictions in a large number of countries. Over 900 million tourists travelled internationally in 2022, double those in 2021 though still 37% fewer than in 2019. International tourism recovered 63% of pre-pandemic levels, in line with UNWTO’s scenarios published in May 2022. Europe, the world’s largest destination region, recorded 585 million arrivals in 2022 to reach nearly 80% of pre-pandemic levels (-21% over 2019). The Middle East enjoyed the strongest relative increase across regions in 2022 with arrivals climbing to 83% of pre-pandemic numbers (-17% versus 2019). Africa and the Americas both recovered about 65% of its pre-pandemic visitors, while Asia and the Pacific reached only 23%, due to stronger pandemic-related restrictions. By subregions, Western Europe (87%) and the Caribbean (84%) came closest to their pre-pandemic levels. The year 2022 saw a strong rebound in tourism spending, resulting in the recovery of pre-pandemic levels in income across many destinations. Looking ahead, international tourism is set to consolidate its recovery in 2023, backed by pent-up demand, particularly from Asia and the Pacific as destinations and markets open up. The UNWTO Panel of Experts survey indicates that 72% of respondents expect better performance in 2023. However, most experts (65%) also believe international tourism will not return to 2019 levels until 2024 or later. Based on UNWTO’s scenarios for 2023, international tourist arrivals could reach 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels this year, with Europe and the Middle East expected to reach those levels. However, important risks remain ahead, especially economic and geopolitical. Tourists are expected to increasingly seek value for money and travel close to home in response to the challenging economic environment.