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The Total Number of International Tourism Will Reach 1 Billion in 2012

In 2011 the total volume of international tourist arrivals grew by 4.4% and reached 980 million. This information has been revealed in the latest study by UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. If we take into account the forecasted growth of the number of arrivals in 2012, this year international arrivals may hit the milestone 1 billion mark.

The growth of the international arrivals increased by 4.4% in 2011 comparing to 2010 and reached 980 million (compare to 939 million in 2010). This is a great result despite many negative factors, such as slow economic recovery, nature disaster in Japan ,political unrest in North Africa and the Middle East. Hotels in Europe are the best performers as they feature the increase in arrivals of 6%. Among subregions the winner is South America with the growth of 10%. If during previous years emerging economies attracted more international arrivals, in 2011 advanced economies took the leadership (compare + 3.8% and +5% respectively).

As we can see, international tourism keeps developing despite challenging conditions and negative forecasts. Tourism is a significant part of the international economy – its share in the world’s GDP estimates 5%.

In 2011 tourist arrivals to Europe estimated 503 million. Such regions as Central, Eastern Europe and Southern Mediterranean showed best increase in the number of arrivals. Asia and the Pacific attracted 219 million of international tourists. Here South-East Asia and South Asia got the most. In Africa Sub-Saharan destinations attracted more visitors than other parts of the region.

27.01.2012

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