- 2018 totalled 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals (+6%), consolidating 2017 strong results and proving to be the second strongest year since 2010
- Middle East (+10%) and Africa (+7%) grew above the world average while Asia and the Pacific and Europe grew at 6%
- For 2019, UNWTO forecasts a 3-4% increase, in line with the historical growth trend
Madrid,
Spain, 21 January 2019 - International tourist arrivals grew 6% in
2018, totalling 1.4 billion according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism
Barometer. UNWTO’s long term forecast issued in 2010 indicated the 1.4
billion mark would be reached in 2020, yet the remarkable growth of
international arrivals in recent years has brought it two years ahead.
UNWTO estimates that worldwide international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased 6% to 1.4 billion in 2018, clearly above the 3.7% growth registered in the global economy.
In relative terms, the Middle East (+10%), Africa (+7%), Asia and the Pacific and Europe (both at +6%) led growth in 2018. Arrivals to the Americas were below the world average (+3%).
“The growth of tourism in
recent years confirms that the sector is today one of the most powerful
drivers of economic growth and development. It is our responsibility to
manage it in a sustainable manner and translate this expansion into real
benefits for all countries, and particularly, to all local communities,
creating opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship and leaving no one
behind” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “This is why
UNWTO is focussing 2019 on education, skills and job creation.”, he
added.
UNWTO’s long-term forecast published in 2010 predicted the 1.4
billion mark of international tourist arrivals for 2020. Yet stronger
economic growth, more affordable air travel, technological changes, new
businesses models and greater visa facilitation around the word have
accelerated growth in recent years.Results by region
International tourist arrivals in Europe reached 713 million in 2018, a notable 6% increase over an exceptionally strong 2017. Growth was driven by Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+7%), Central and Eastern Europe (+6%) and Western Europe (+6%). Results in Northern Europe were flat due to the weakness of arrivals to the United Kingdom.
Asia and the Pacific (+6%) recorded 343 million international tourist arrivals in 2018. Arrivals in South-East Asia grew 7%, followed by North-East Asia (+6%) and South Asia (+5%). Oceania showed more moderate growth at +3%.
The Americas (+3%)
welcomed 217 million international arrivals in 2018, with mixed results
across destinations. Growth was led by North America (+4%), and followed
by South America (+3%), while Central America and the Caribbean (both
-2%) reached very mixed results, the latter reflecting the impact of the
September 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Data from Africa points to a 7% increase in 2018 (North Africa at
+10% and Sub-Saharan +6%), reaching an estimated 67 million arrivals.The Middle East (+10%) showed solid results last year consolidating its 2017 recovery, with international tourist arrivals reaching 64 million.
Growth expected to return to historical trends in 2019
Based on current trends, economic prospects and the UNWTO Confidence Index, UNWTO forecasts international arrivals to grow 3% to 4% next year, more in line with historic growth trends.
As a general backdrop, the
stability of fuel prices tends to translate into affordable air travel
while air connectivity continues to improve in many destinations,
facilitating the diversification of source markets. Trends also show
strong outbound travel from emerging markets, especially India and
Russia but also from smaller Asian and Arab source markets.
At the same time, the
global economic slowdown, the uncertainty related to the Brexit, as well
as geopolitical and trade tensions may prompt a “wait and see” attitude
among investors and travellers.
Overall, 2019 is expected
to see the consolidation among consumers of emerging trends such as the
quest for ‘travel to change and to show’, ‘the pursuit of healthy
options’ such as walking, wellness and sports tourism,
‘multigenerational travel’ as a result of demographic changes and more
responsible travel.
“Digitalisation, new
business models, more affordable travel and societal changes are
expected to continue shaping our sector, so both destination and
companies need to adapt if they want to remain competitive”, added
Pololikashvili.
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