UNWTO Highlights Impact of Demographic Change on Tourism

UNWTO Highlights Impact of Demographic Change on Tourism

Major demographic trends at the global level -- including rising populations, increased life expectancy, urbanization, migration, changing family structures -- present fresh challenges for the tourism sector, according to the U.N. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Demographic change will have an impact upon the types of tourists that will travel, where they originate from, where they travel to, the types of accommodation they require and the activities they engage in while away.

The UNWTO’s new report “Demographic Change and Tourism” provides a comprehensive analysis of the major demographic trends through 2030 -- by which time the world’s population is forecast to reach 8.3 billion. It outlines the impact these trends will have on tourism demand and travel behavior overall, and analyzes how destinations and companies can best adapt in order to become increasingly competitive in the market place.

According to the report, visitor profiles and preferences will become increasingly fragmented and the competitiveness of destinations will depend on their ability to develop and market tourism products to an aging, multi-ethnic population structured into multi-generational families. Population growth and increased life expectancy, for example, will radically challenge current assumptions of ageing for tourism. Younger tourists who are still working fulltime may look to relax on holiday, while older tourists with more time on their hands and a “younger” outlook may go on holiday to try new activities.

The report was officially presented by UNWTO and the ETC at the recent “Seminar on Demographic Change and Tourism” on Sept. 17 in Vienna, Austria. The content of the study was used as a basis for the seminar, which sought to achieve a better understanding of current and future demographic changes and debate how to maximize potential opportunities for the tourism sector.