UNWTO Reports 4.5 Percent Growth in International Tourist Arrivals

09 September 2011 5:11pm

By James Ruggia

International tourism grew by almost 5 percent in the first half of 2011, totaling a new record of 440 million arrivals, according to UNWTO. Results confirm that, in spite of multiple challenges, international tourism continues to consolidate the return to growth initiated in 2010.

International tourist arrivals are estimated to have grown by 4.5 percent in the first half of 2011, consolidating the 6.6 percent increase registered in 2010. Between January and June of this year, the total number of arrivals reached 440 million, 19 million more than in the same period of 2010.

Growth in advanced economies (up 4.3 percent) has maintained strength and is closing the gap with emerging economies (up 4.8 percent), which have been driving international tourism growth in recent years. This trend reflects the decreases registered in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as a slight slowdown in the growth of some Asian destinations following a very strong 2010.

All world subregions showed positive trends, with the exception of the Middle East and North Africa. Results were better than expected in Europe (up 6 percent), boosted by the recovery of Northern Europe (up 7 percent) and Central and Eastern Europe (up 9 percent), and the temporary redistribution of travel to destinations in Southern and Mediterranean Europe (up 7 percent) due to developments in North Africa (down 13 percent) and the Middle East (down 11 percent).

Sub-Saharan Africa (up 9 percent) continued to perform soundly. The Americas (up 6 percent) was slightly above the world average, with remarkably strong results for South America (up 15 percent). Asia and the Pacific grew at a comparatively slower pace of 5 percent, but this more than consolidates its 13 percent bumper growth of 2010.

Following the decline registered in 2009, one of the most challenging years for international tourism in decades, the sector rebounded strongly in 2010. International tourist arrivals were up 6.6 percent to 940 million and international tourism receipts grew by 4.7 percent in real terms to reach $919 billion (693 billion euros).