Exports from International Tourism Rose to $1.5 Trillion in 2014

International tourism receipts rose by $48 billion in 2014 to reach a record $1,245 billion. An additional $221 billion was generated from international passenger transport, bringing total exports from international tourism up to $1.5 trillion.

Receipts from international visitors spending on accommodation, food and drink, entertainment, shopping and other services and goods reached an estimated $1.245 billion (euro 937 billion) in 2014, an increase of 3.7 percent in real terms (taking into account exchange rate fluctuations and inflation). International tourist arrivals increased by 4.4 percent in 2014, reaching a total 1,135 million, up from 1,087 million in 2013.

Aside from international tourism receipts (the travel item of the Balance of Payment), tourism also generates export earnings through international passenger transport services (rendered to non-residents). The latter amounted to an estimated $221 billion in 2014, bringing total exports from international tourism up to $1.5 trillion, or $4 billion a day on average.

“International tourism is an increasingly significant component of international trade as seen in export earnings from international tourism and passenger transport, which reached $1.5 trillion in 2014” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “In a scenario with decreasing commodity prices, spending on international tourism grew significantly in 2014, proving the sector’s capacity to stimulate economic growth, boost exports and create jobs,” he added.

International tourism (travel and passenger transport) represents 30 percent of the world’s exports of services and 6 percent of overall exports of goods and services. As a worldwide export category, tourism ranks fourth after fuels, chemicals and food, ranking first in many developing countries.

Europe, which accounts for 41 percent of worldwide international tourism receipts, saw an increase in tourism earnings in absolute terms of $17 billion to $509 billion (euro 383 billion). Asia and the Pacific (30 percent share) saw an increase of $16 billion, reaching $377 billion (euro 284 billion).

In the Americas, (22 percent share), receipts increased by $10 billion to a total of $274 billion (euro 206 billion). In the Middle East (4 percent share), tourism receipts increased by an estimated $4 billion to $49 billion (euro 37 billion) and in Africa (3 percent share) by $1 billion to $36 billion (euro 27 billion).

By subregion, Northern Europe, Southern and Mediterranean Europe, North-East Asia, Oceania, South Asia, Caribbean, Central America, South America and the Middle East showed fastest growth in relative terms, all recording +5 percent or over in receipts.

In the top ten ranking by tourism earnings, China climbed from 5th to 3rd place following a 10 percent increase in earnings to $57 billion in 2014. The United States ($177 billion) and Spain ($65 billion) maintained first and second positions in the ranking.

The United Kingdom ($45 billion) moved up two positions to 7th, boosted by the lasting effects of the Olympics and the appreciation of the UK pound (increasing receipts calculated in US dollar terms). France, Macao (China) and Italy occupy the 4th to 6th positions respectively, while Germany, Thailand and Hong Kong (China) complete the top ten.

In terms of outbound tourism, the world’s top spender China continued its exceptional pace of growth with a 28 percent increase in expenditure in 2014, reaching a total of $165 billion. While the two other major emerging markets among the first 10, the Russian Federation (-6 percent, 5th largest) and Brazil (+2 percent, 10th largest) lost strength, various advanced economy source markets picked up in growth.

The world’s second largest spender, the United States posted a 7 percent increase. The United Kingdom spent 4 percent more and moved from 5th to 4th in the ranking. France increased expenditure by 11 percent, retaining the 6th position, and Italy by 6 percent, climbing from 9th to 8th. Germany (3rd), Canada (7th) and Australia (9th) take the remaining places of the top ten.