Registering a 4 per cent increase over the same period last year, the first nine months of 2016 witnessed 956 million international tourists, an additional 34 million, travelling to different parts of the world, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said yesterday. The Asia-Pacific region reported a 9.3 per cent growth, followed by Africa (8.3 per cent), the Americas (4.4 per cent) and Europe (1.6 per cent). The arrivals in the Middle East fell by 6.4 per cent.
“Tourism is one of the most resilient and fastest-growing economic sectors but it is also very sensitive to risks, both actual and perceived. As such, the sector must continue to work together with governments and stakeholders to minimize risks, respond effectively and build confidence among travelers,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
“No destination is immune to risks. We need to increase cooperation in addressing these global threats, namely those related to safety and security. And we need to make tourism an integral part of emergency planning and response”, added Rifai ahead of the Ministerial Meeting on Safe, Secure and Seamless Travel to be held at the World Travel Market in London on 9 November.
According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, demand for international tourism remained robust in the first nine months of 2016, though growing at a somewhat more moderate pace. After a strong start of the year, growth was slower in the second quarter of 2016 to pick up again in the third quarter of the year. While most destinations report encouraging results, others continue to struggle with the impact of negative events, either in their country or in their region.
Rifai also recalled: “Real crises are often magnified or distorted by misperception and affected destinations are facing important challenges, although at the global level demand remains strong. We need to support these countries in restoring confidence, as doing so will benefit the entire tourism sector and society as a whole.”
Strong demand for outbound travel
The great majority of leading source markets in the world reported increases in international tourism expenditure during the first three to nine months of 2016.
Among the top five source markets, China, the world’s top source market, continues to drive demand, reporting double-digit growth in spending (+19%). Likewise, robust results come from the United States (+9%), which benefited many destinations in the Americas and beyond. Germany reported a 5% increase in expenditure, the United Kingdom, a 10% increase, and France, 3% growth.
In the remainder of the top ten, tourism spending grew notably in Australia and the Republic of Korea (both +9%), and moderately in Italy (+3%). By contrast, expenditure from the Russian Federation declined 37% and from Canada a slight 2%.
Beyond the top 10, eight other markets reported double-digit growth: Egypt (+38%), Argentina (+27%), Spain (+19%), India (+16%), Thailand (+15%), Ukraine (+15%), Ireland (+12%) and Norway (+11%).
Prospects remain positive
Prospects remain positive for the remaining quarter of 2016 according to the UNWTO Confidence Index.
The members of the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts are confident about the September-December period, mostly in Africa, the Americas and Asia and the Pacific. Experts in Europe and the Middle East are somewhat more cautious.
