UNWTO Tourism Statistics (as of 2023-2024)

• International Tourist Arrivals: Reached 89% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and 97% in the first quarter of 2024.

• Export Revenues from Tourism: Dropped 62% in 2020 and 59% in 2021 compared to 2019 levels, rebounded in 2022 but remained 34% below pre-pandemic levels.

• Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic resulted in a loss of 2.6 billion international arrivals from 2020 to 2022, with a total loss in export revenues amounting to USD 2.6 trillion for that period.

• Tourism GDP and Employment: The latest data indicates the economic contribution and employment generated by tourism activities globally.

Eurostat Tourism Statistics (as of 2023)

• Nights Spent at Tourist Accommodation: Significant increase in 2023, with figures nearing pre-pandemic levels, indicating a strong recovery in tourism activity.

• Tourism Employment: Employment in the tourism sector has shown recovery trends across the EU, supporting the overall economic rebound.

• Domestic and International Tourist Expenditure: A steady increase in tourist expenditure as travel activities resume, reflecting a positive economic impact.

• Tourist Arrivals: Strong recovery in tourist arrivals within the EU, with numbers approaching those seen in 2019.

For detailed data and more comprehensive statistics, please visit the UNWTO Tourism Statistics Database and the Eurostat Database.

The SIT Tourism Intelligence System, developed by SEGITTUR, is a cloud-based big data platform that collects, organises, and analyses diverse tourism-related information. It provides dynamic reports and dashboards tailored to users' needs, facilitating strategic planning and decision-making in the tourism sector. The system enhances data accessibility and analysis, promoting better-informed management and marketing efforts. It supports the development of sustainable tourism practices and new products, aiming to boost the sector's competitiveness and sustainability. Public information is accessible via DATAESTUR, while destination-specific data can be customised with certain access restrictions.

InstaSights.is a platform that analyses public activity from millions of users to identify popular places worldwide. It allows users to discover trending spots and make informed choices based on what others find interesting. The website offers a quick and easy way to explore popular locations, ensuring users can stay updated with trending destinations globally. 

Using weather forecasts as a data source in tourism significantly enhances travel planning and visitor experiences. Accurate weather predictions help tourists decide the best times to visit destinations, optimising their activities and ensuring safety. For instance, understanding seasonal weather patterns can guide travellers in choosing appropriate clothing and gear, thus enhancing comfort and enjoyment. Additionally, weather data allows tourism businesses to tailor their services, such as offering weather-appropriate tours and activities or preparing for weather-related disruptions. Ultimately, integrating weather forecasts into tourism strategies fosters better preparedness, satisfaction, and overall travel success.

Tourism Data Driven Solutions. (TDDS) supports the digital transformation of the tourism sector by helping public and private entities enhance their competitiveness and sustainability. TDDS provides strategic guidance, technology selection, and implementation plans to optimise tourism operations. By leveraging data analytics, AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies, TDDS aims to align tourism practices with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The company's expertise ensures that tourism destinations and businesses can achieve a balance between innovation, sustainability, and economic growth.

Data-driven Tourism for Sustainability (dTS) leverages digital technologies and data analytics to promote sustainable tourism practices. The project focuses on using artificial intelligence (AI) and agent-based modelling to enhance the resilience and sustainability of regional tourism, particularly in Austria. By intelligently managing visitor flows and optimising resource use, dTS aims to mitigate environmental impacts and support carbon neutrality. The project also emphasises the importance of scalable, privacy-conscious solutions that can adapt to various technological maturity levels, ultimately fostering a balanced and sustainable tourism ecosystem.

NADIA DTI is a tool aimed at the managers of Smart Destinations; a central point for the collection of all the information needed to develop indicators by gathering and analysing the data acquired. NADIA DTI follows UNE 178501 standard, guaranteeing proper destination management. The platform is based on FIWARE and make the most of IoT, AI and BigData analytics.

NADIA DTI provides destinations with a monitoring tool that also allows initial diagnoses to be performed, and the important indicators to be focused on. It is a multi-user solution that allows goals and targets to be set. The destination’s management team can thus divide up the monitoring and supervision tasks for each indicator. It is aligned with the indicators set by UNE178503 and SDGs, so to ensure the sustainability objectives of the destinations.

Its powerful dashboard, divided into categories, uses a traffic light system to indicate how close each goal is to being met. Moreover, thanks to its powerful graphics system, users can see how indicators evolve over time, or check real-time information about their status. The tool allows different Smart Destinations to be compared, objectives and targets to be set and the correct strategy to be established.

Fareboom is an online travel agency that offers competitive international flight deals, specialising in affordable and last-minute travel. With a user-friendly interface, Fareboom allows travellers to compare prices, explore multi-city itineraries, and find the best value flights. The platform also features advanced tools like fare analysis and real-time flight alerts, helping users secure the lowest possible fares. Additionally, Fareboom provides personalised customer support and expert advice to enhance the booking experience. 

Hyatt's Intelligent Virtual Assistant (IVA), developed in collaboration with Interactions, has significantly enhanced customer service at Hyatt’s North American Service Centres. The IVA efficiently manages customer calls, collects essential information, and seamlessly transitions them to live agents, enabling personalised and swift assistance. This advanced system, recognized with the Intelligent Assistant Award by Opus Research, exemplifies Hyatt's commitment to innovative, high-quality guest experiences. By integrating IVA technology, Hyatt has achieved considerable operational efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, and saved approximately $4.4 million annually, showcasing the profound impact of intelligent automation in the hospitality industry​.

Apart from specific data-based solutions, there are also other digital solutions. The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionising the tourism industry by enhancing the traveller experience through smart technology. IoT applications in tourism include smart hotel rooms with automated controls for lighting, temperature, and entertainment, as well as wearable devices that provide real-time information and personalised recommendations to tourists. Additionally, IoT enables efficient crowd management at popular attractions and seamless check-ins at hotels and airports. This technology not only improves convenience and comfort for travellers but also aids businesses in optimising operations and delivering better services.

Mountaineering 4.0, a project led by Slovenian Alpine Association implementing the guidelines of the Tourism 4.0 initiative, focuses on enhancing the sustainability of Alpine tourism through advanced data collection and analysis. The project has installed 29 footfall monitoring sensors across five popular hiking locations in Slovenia, including Vršič and Storžič, to gather real-time data on visitor numbers. This data is GDPR-compliant and aims to better understand and manage visitor flows, preventing overcrowding in sensitive Alpine ecosystems. By integrating various data sources such as weather, mobile signals, and overnight stays, Mountaineering 4.0 supports the sustainable rerouting of visitors to less crowded destinations, promoting balanced regional development and new tourist opportunities​

My Disney Experience App and Disney's MagicBands are integral components of the guest experience at Disney theme parks. The MDE app serves as a comprehensive digital tool that allows guests to plan and manage their entire Disney vacation. Users can make dining reservations, schedule FastPass+ selections for attractions, view interactive park maps, and access real-time attraction wait times. It also provides personalised recommendations and keeps guests informed about entertainment schedules and park events.

Disney's MagicBands complement the MDE app by offering a convenient wearable technology solution. These wristbands, which guests can customise in advance, serve as all-in-one devices for park entry, hotel room access, FastPass+ redemption, and contactless payment. MagicBands enhance the seamless experience by reducing the need for physical tickets and wallets, allowing guests to focus more on enjoying their time at the parks. Together, the MDE app and MagicBands exemplify Disney's commitment to enhancing guest convenience and enjoyment through innovative digital and wearable technologies, creating a magical and streamlined experience from planning to park adventures.

SensingTools, developed as a spin-off from Universitat Politècnica de València, are advanced technological solutions designed to enhance various aspects of user experience and operational efficiency. These tools integrate sensors and IoT devices to collect and analyse real-time data in diverse environments such as urban settings, tourism destinations, and event venues. Their primary objective is to gather precise information on crowd dynamics, environmental conditions, and infrastructure usage. This data enables stakeholders to make informed decisions that optimise resource allocation, improve safety measures, and enhance visitor satisfaction. SensingTools leverage cutting-edge technology to provide actionable insights that contribute to more efficient management of public spaces and the creation of personalised experiences for users. This innovation underscores the commitment to enhancing the quality and functionality of urban and tourist environments through intelligent data-driven solutions.

D3Hub, established as part of the D3Hub Competence Centre, is a specialised initiative focused on advancing digital technologies for sustainable development. It serves as a collaborative platform where stakeholders from academia, industry, and government come together to innovate and implement solutions addressing complex societal challenges. D3Hub harnesses cutting-edge research and development in areas such as data analytics, IoT, and digital transformation to create impactful projects. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, D3Hub aims to drive sustainable growth, improve urban living standards, and promote environmental stewardship through the strategic application of digital innovations.

Tourism for tourism initiative, supported by the European Commission, is dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainability within the tourism sector through data-driven solutions. It aims to create a collaborative environment where tourism stakeholders can securely share and utilise data to enhance visitor experiences, optimise resource management, and improve operational efficiency. By leveraging advanced technologies such as big data analytics and IoT, the Data Space for tourism facilitates the development of smart tourism destinations. This initiative empowers businesses, researchers, and policymakers to harness the power of data for informed decision-making, driving economic growth while preserving cultural and environmental heritage.

Harnessing the power of data is crucial for revolutionizing tourism. Reliable sources like the UN Tourism database and Eurostat provide valuable insights for strategic planning. The SIT Tourism Intelligence System and platforms like InstaSights and Fareboom illustrate how data can enhance decision-making and customer experiences. Weather forecasts and tools like NADIA DTI optimize resource management and visitor satisfaction. Projects such as Mountaineering 4.0 and Disney's MagicBands highlight the use of IoT for improving travel experiences. Data-driven initiatives like TDDS and D3Hub promote sustainable tourism, aligning with global goals for economic and environmental balance.

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