International tourist arrivals grew by 4.4 per cent in 2015 to reach a total of 1,184 million in 2015, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Some 50 million more overnight visitors travelled to international destinations around the world last year as compared to 2014. The year 2015 marks the sixth consecutive year of above-average growth, with international arrivals increasing by four per cent or more every year since the post-crisis year of 2010.
Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General, UNWTO said, “International tourism reached new heights in 2015. The robust performance of the sector is contributing to economic growth and job creation in many parts of the world. It is thus critical for countries to promote policies that foster the continued growth of tourism, including travel facilitation, human resources development and sustainability”
Demand was strong overall, though with mixed results across individual destinations due to unusually strong exchange rate fluctuations, the drop in oil prices and other commodities which increased disposable income in importing countries but weakened demand in exporters, as well as increased safety and security concerns.
Rifai added, “2015 results were influenced by exchange rates, oil prices and natural and manmade crises in many parts of the world. As the current environment highlights in a particular manner the issues of safety and security, we should recall that tourism development greatly depends upon our collective capacity to promote safe, secure and seamless travel. In this respect, UNWTO urges governments to include tourism administrations in their national security planning, structures and procedures, not only to ensure that the sector’s exposure to threats is minimised but also to maximise the sector’s ability to support security and facilitation, as seamless and safe travel can and should go hand in hand.”
Growth in advanced economy destinations (+ five per cent) exceeded that of emerging economies (+ four per cent), boosted by the solid results of Europe (+ five per cent).
By region, Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific all recorded around five per cent growth in 2015. Arrivals to the Middle East increased by three per cent while in Africa, limited data available, points to an estimated three per cent decrease, mostly due to weak results in North Africa, which accounts for over one third of arrivals in the region.
Results from the UNWTO Confidence Index remain largely positive for 2016, though at a slightly lower level as compared to the previous two years. Based on the current trend and this outlook, UNWTO projects international tourist arrivals to grow by four per cent worldwide in 2016.
By region, growth is expected to be stronger in Asia and the Pacific (+ four to five per cent) and the Americas (+ four to five per cent), followed by Europe (+3.5 to 4.5 per cent). The projections for Africa (+ two to five per cent) and the Middle East (+ two to five per cent) are positive, though with a larger degree of uncertainty and volatility.
