Monday, May 27, 2019
UNWTO World Tourism Barometer from the World Tourism Organaization revealed that international tourism continued to grow over the first quarter of 2019.
The 4% increased seen in the early 2019 showed a positive sign, however it was at a slower rate as compared with the last two years.
The highest increase in arrival was seen in Middle East (+8%) and Asia and the Pacific (+6%), Europe and Africa were up by $5 and the Americans showed a 3% growth.
UNWTO secretary-general, Zurab Pololikashvili said that these sector continues to outpace the global rate. International tourism continues to perform strongly worldwide fuelled by a positive economy, increased air capacity and visa facilitation.Growth in arrivals is easing slightly after two years of exceptional results, but the sector continues to outpace the global rate of economic growth.
Europe reported a growth of 4% which was led by destinations in Southern and Mediterranean Europe and Central and Eastern Europe (both +5%).The ongoing recovery in North Africa was responsible for growth in Africa.
After weak results in 2018 the Caribbean (+17% ) showed a strong rebound after being impacted by hurricanes Irma and Maria in late 2017.
Chinese market showed a very strong performance and in Asia and the Pacific results for the first three months showed a 6% increase . This was led by the North East Asia (9%).
Pololikashvili went on saying that with this growth comes greater responsibility for translating it into better jobs and better lives. They has to continue investing in innovation, digital transformation and education so that they could harness the many benefits tourism can bring while at the same time mitigating its impact on the environment and society with better management of tourism flows.
In 2019 UNWTO forecasts growth of 3% to 4% in international tourist arrivals.
Tags: Tourism, UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili
