Global tourism update
According to the first
comprehensive report on global tourism numbers and trends of the new decade,
the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, this represents the tenth consecutive
year of growth.
All regions saw a rise in
international arrivals in 2019. However, uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the
collapse of Thomas Cook, geopolitical and social tensions and the global
economic slowdown all contributed to a slower growth in 2019 when compared to
the exceptional rates of 2017 and 2018.
This slowdown affected mainly
advanced economies and particularly Europe, Asia and the Pacific.
Looking ahead, growth of 3% to 4%
is predicted for 2020, an outlook reflected in the latest UNWTO Confidence
Index which shows a cautious optimism: 47% of participants believe tourism will
perform better and 43% at the same level of 2019.
Major sporting events, including
the Tokyo Olympics, and cultural events such as Expo 2020 Dubai are expected to
have a positive impact on the sector.
Presenting the results, UNWTO
Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stressed that “in these times of
uncertainty and volatility, tourism remains a reliable economic sector. Our
sector keeps outpacing the world economy and calling upon us to not only grow
but to grow better.”
Given tourism’s position as a top
export sector and creator of employment, UNWTO advocates the need for
responsible growth. Tourism has, therefore, a place at the heart of global
development policies, and the opportunity to gain further political recognition
and make a real impact as the Decade of Action gets underway, leaving just ten
years to fulfill the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The Middle East has emerged as
the fastest-growing region for international tourism arrivals in 2019, growing
at almost double the global average (+8%). Growth in Asia and the Pacific
slowed down but still showed above-average growth, with international arrivals
up 5%.
Europe where growth was also
slower than in previous years (+4%) continues to lead in terms of international
arrivals numbers, welcoming 743 million international tourists last year (51%
of the global market). The Americas (+2%) showed a mixed picture as many island
destinations in the Caribbean consolidated their recovery after the 2017
hurricanes while arrivals fell in South America due partly to ongoing social
and political turmoil. Limited data available for Africa (+4%) points to
continued strong results in North Africa (+9%) while arrivals in Sub-Saharan
Africa grew slower in 2019 (+1.5%).
Against a backdrop of global
economic slowdown, tourism spending continued to grow, most notably among the
world’s top ten spenders. France reported the strongest increase in
international tourism expenditure among the world’s top ten outbound markets
(+11%), while the United States (+6%) led growth in absolute terms, aided by a
strong dollar.
However, some large emerging
markets such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia reported declines in tourism spending.
China, the world’s top source market, saw outbound trips increase by 14% in the
first half of 2019, though expenditure fell 4%.
“The number of destinations
earning $1bn or more from international tourism has almost doubled since 1998,”
Pololikashvili continued. “The challenge we face is to make sure the benefits
are shared as widely as possible and nobody is left behind. In 2020, UNWTO
celebrates the Year of Tourism and Rural Development, and we hope to see our
sector lead positive change in rural communities, creating jobs and
opportunities, driving economic growth and preserving culture.”
This latest evidence of the
strength and resilience of the tourism sector comes as the UN celebrates its
75th anniversary. During 2020, through the UN75 initiative, the UN is carrying
out the largest, most inclusive conversation on the role of global cooperation
in building a better future for all, with tourism to be high on the agenda.
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