Strong outbound demand from traditional and emerging markets fuelled a *4.9% rise in **international tourism receipts to US$1.3tn in 2017, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The UNWTO Tourism Highlights 2018 edition reveals international tourist arrivals jumped 6.8% last year to reach 1.3bn – the highest level since the 2008/2009 global economic crisis.

Europe spearheaded regional spending with receipts of $519.2bn ($438.4bn of which was accounted for by the EU 28 member states) followed by Asia and the Pacific ($389.6bn); the Americas ($326.2bn); the Middle East ($67.7bn); and Africa ($37.3bn).

Aside the $1.3tn in tourism receipts generated at destinations, international tourism registered a further $240bn from international passenger transport services rendered to non-residents. Total exports from the trade totalled $1.6tn, or $4bn per day.

Click to enlarge. Source: UNWTO.

RUSSIAN RE-ENTERS TOP TEN

According to UNWTO – and as correctly indicated by TRBusiness in the April Top 10 Spending Nationalities report courtesy of m1nd-set – China continues to lead global outbound travel in terms of expenditure at $258bn (according to provisional figures).

UNWTO points out that this equates to almost one fifth of total global tourism spending in 2017. The US follows at $135bn and Germany in third at $89bn.

Meanwhile, the Russian Federation rebounded impressively by 30% ($31bn) to climb into the top ten once again in eight place.

In the report, UNWTO says the rise in global outbound demand is indicative of a more general upswing in economic fortunes, particularly in Brazil and the Russian Federation after several years of decline, plus ongoing growth from India to many inbound destinations.

The recovery of countries threatened by security challenges has also been a contributing factor to this growth.

Europe takes a 51% share of international tourist arrivals. Click to enlarge. Source: UNWTO.

Looking at arrivals, Europe once again welcomed the highest inbound volume (670.6m) followed by Asia Pacific (323.1m); the Americas (208.7m), Africa (62.7m) and the Middle East (58.1m).

Interestingly, Africa led growth in tourism arrivals last year (+8.6%) despite accounting for a 5% share of the market, next to Europe (+8.3%) with a 51% market share.

Japan re-entered the top ten for international tourism receipts following six consecutive years of double-digit growth. Click to enlarge. Source: UNWTO.

Comparing international tourism arrivals and tourism receipts, seven out of the top 10 destinations appear in both lists despite differences in demographics, length of stay and average spending, with Spain rising to become the second largest destination in terms of visitor arrivals (81.8m) and spending ($68m).

To view the full report, click here.

*Adjusted for exchange rate fluctuations and inflation

**International tourism receipts defined as expenditure by international tourists on accommodation, food and drink, entertainment, shopping and other goods and services