World Travel Up 6 Percent in First Half of 2018

Global international tourist arrivals rose 6 percent year on year in the first four months of 2018, according to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), exceeding the organization’s forecast.

The Caribbean was the only sub-region to experience a decline in arrivals, with visitors down 9 percent on the same period in 2017 as some destinations continued to struggle from the impact of last autumn’s hurricanes.

The UNWTO reported 8 percent growth in visitors in Asia and the Pacific, with numbers in Southeast Asia 10 percent higher and in South Asia up 9 percent

International arrivals in Europe rose 7 percent in the first four months with arrivals in Mediterranean Europe and Western Europe increasing by 8 percent.

Growth in the Americas was put at 3 percent, but with South America seeing an 8 percent rise. There was 6 percent growth in Africa and 4 percent in the Middle East.

The UNWTO had forecast growth in international tourism numbers of between 4 percent and 5 percent for this year.

UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said: “International tourism continues to show significant growth worldwide, and this translates into job creation in many economies.”

However, he said: “This growth reminds us of the need to increase our capacity to develop and manage tourism in a sustainable way, making the most of technology and innovation.”

The UNWTO reported international tourism receipts rose 5 percent last year on 2016 off the back of a 7 percent increase in tourist arrivals. This put total annual receipts from tourism globally at $1,332 billion.

Europe recorded 8 percent growth in receipts to $517 billion in 2017, comprising 38 percent of global tourism receipts.

Income from tourism rose 1 percent year on year in the Americas in 2017, 3 percent in Asia and the Pacific, and 13 percent in the Middle East.

Source: Travel Weekly UK