Demand for international tourism remained strong in 2016 despite certain challenges. According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals grew 3.9% to reach a total of 1235 million. Some 46 million more tourists (overnight visitors) travelled internationally compared to the previous.
The last few decades have seen a comparable sequence of continuous strong growth that has not been recorded since the 1960s. 2016 was the seventh consecutive year of sustained growth after the global economic and financial crisis in 2009. Last year, 300 million more international tourists travelled around the world than in the pre-crisis record in 2008. Receipts from international tourism grew at a similar pace in this period (full results will be published in May).
“Tourism has shown extraordinary strength and resilience in recent years, despite the many challenges it has faced, particularly those related to safety and security. International travel continues to grow strongly and contribute to job creation and the wellbeing of communities around the world”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
By region, Asia and the Pacific (+8%) led growth in international tourist arrivals in 2016, spurred by strong demand from both intraregional and interregional source markets. Africa (+8%) has picked-up after two weaker years. In the Americas (+4%) the positive momentum continued. Europe (+2%) showed mixed results, with double-digit growth in some destinations and decreases in others. Demand in the Middle East (-4%) was also uneven, with positive results in some destinations and slumps in others.
Recalling that 2017 has been declared as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the UNWTO Secretary-General said “we must work together to make the most of the tourism’s contribution to economic growth, social inclusion, cultural and environmental preservation and mutual understanding, particularly now that we live in times with respect and tolerance in short supply”.
