International tourists set a new record 1,087m arrivals, +5% and up 52m people in 2013, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

The UNWTO reported that its World Tourism Barometer reported the above expected numbers, despite significant global economic challenges and the world body is now forecasting between 4% to 4.5% annual growth ahead in its long term projections.

Not surprisingly, its monitor shows that demand for international tourism was at its strongest for destinations in Asia and the Pacific (+6%), Africa (+6%) and Europe (+5%). In addition, the leading sub-regions were South-East Asia (+10%), Central and Eastern Europe (+7%), Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+6%) and North Africa (+6%).

TOURISM MORE POSITIVE
“2013 was an excellent year for international tourism” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “The tourism sector has shown a remarkable capacity to adjust to the changing market conditions, fuelling growth and job creation around the world, despite the lingering economic and geopolitical challenges. Indeed, tourism has been among the few sectors generating positive news for many economies”, he added.

The UNWTO is now forecasting that international tourist arrivals will increase by 4% to 4.5% in 2014, again above its long-term forecast of +3.8% per year between 2010 and 2020. The UNWTO Confidence Index, based on the feedback from over 300 ‘experts’ worldwide, confirms this outlook with prospects for 2014 higher than in previous years.

“The positive results of 2013, and the expected global economic improvement in 2014, set the scene for another positive year for international tourism. Against this backdrop, UNWTO calls upon national governments to increasingly set up national strategies that support the sector and to deliver on their commitment to fair and sustainable growth”, said Rifai.

The world tourism body now predicts that 2014’s regional prospects are expected to be strongest for Asia and the Pacific (+5% to +6%) and Africa (+4% to +6%), followed by Europe and the Americas (both +3% to +4%). In the Middle East (0% to +5%) prospects are positive, yet volatile.

 

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

EUROPE LEADS THE OTHER REGIONS
Europe led the tourism growth in absolute terms, welcoming an additional 29m international tourist arrivals in 2013, raising the total to 563m. Growth (+5%) exceeded the forecast for 2013 and is double the region’s average for the period 2005-2012 (+2.5% a year). The UNWTO says this is ‘particularly remarkable’ in view of the regional economic situation and as it follows an already robust 2011 and 2012.

By sub-region, Central and Eastern Europe (+7%) and Southern Mediterranean Europe (+6%) experienced the best results.

In relative terms, the growth was strongest in Asia and the Pacific (+6%), where the number of international tourists grew by 14m to reach 248m. South-East Asia (+10%) was the best performing sub-region, while growth was comparatively more moderate in South Asia (+5%), Oceania and North-East Asia (+4% each).

The Americas (+4%) saw an increase of 6m arrivals, reaching a total of 169m. Leading this growth were destinations in North and Central America (+4% each), while South America (+2%) and the Caribbean (+1%) showed some slowdown as compared to 2012.

Africa (+6%) attracted 3m additional arrivals, reaching a new record of 56m, reflecting the on-going rebound in North Africa (+6%) and the sustained growth of Sub-Saharan destinations (+5%). Results in the Middle East (+0% at 52m) were described as ‘rather mixed and volatile’.

 

RUSSIA AND CHINA LED THE GROWTH
Among the ten most important source markets in the world, the UNWTO notes that Russia and China clearly stood out last year. China, which became the largest outbound market in 2012 with an expenditure of US$102bn, saw an increase in expenditure of 28% in the first three quarters of 2013. The Russian Federation, the fifth largest outbound market, reported 26% growth through September.

The performance of key advanced economy source markets was comparatively more modest. France (+6%) recovered from a weak 2012 and the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia all grew at 3%. By contrast, Germany, Japan and Italy reported declines in outbound expenditure.

Other emerging markets with substantial growth in outbound expenditure were Turkey (+24%), Qatar (+18%), Philippines (+18%), Kuwait (+15%), Indonesia (+15%), Ukraine (+15%) and Brazil (+14%).