International tourist arrivals grow to 13.22 billion in 2017: UNWTO report

News Image

By MG News | February 07, 2018 at 02:09 PM GMT+05:00

0:00

APP – International tourist arrivals grew by a remarkable 7% in 2017 to reach a total of 1,322 million, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.

This strong momentum is expected to continue in 2018 at a rate of 4%-5%. Based on data reported by destinations around the world, it is estimated that international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) worldwide increased by 7% in 2017. This is well above the sustained and consistent trend of 4% or higher growth since 2010 and represents the strongest results in seven years.

Led by Mediterranean destinations, Europe recorded extraordinary results for such a large and rather mature region, with 8% more international arrivals than in 2016. Africa consolidated its 2016 rebound with an 8% increase. Asia and the Pacific recorded 6% growth, the Middle East 5% and the Americas 3%.

2017 was characterized by sustained growth in many destinations and a firm recovery in those that suffered decreases in previous years. Results were partly shaped by the global economic upswing and the robust outbound demand from many traditional and emerging source markets, particularly a rebound in tourism spending from Brazil and the Russian Federation after a few years of declines.

“International travel continues to grow strongly, consolidating the tourism sector as a key driver in economic development. As the third export sector in the world, tourism is essential for job creation and the prosperity of communities around the world.” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “Yet as we continue to grow we must work closer together to ensure the growth benefits to every member of every host community, and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals”.

According to UNWTO report, the current strong momentum is expected to continue in 2018, though at a more sustainable pace after eight years of steady expansion following the 2009 economic and financial crisis.

Based on current trends, economic prospects and the outlook by the UNWTO Panel of Experts, UNWTO projects international tourist arrivals worldwide to grow at a rate of 4%-5% in 2018. This is somewhat above the 3.8% average increase projected for the period 2010-2020 by UNWTO in its Tourism Towards 2030 long-term forecast. Europe and the Americas are both expected to grow by 3.5%-4.5%, Asia and the Pacific by 5%-6%, Africa by 5%-7% and the Middle East by 4%-6%.

International tourist arrivals in Europe reached 671 million in 2017, a remarkable 8% increase following a comparatively weaker 2016. Growth was driven by the extraordinary results in Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+13%). Western Europe (+7%), Northern Europe and Central and Eastern Europe (both +5%) also recorded robust growth.

Asia and the Pacific (+6%) recorded 324 million international tourist arrivals in 2017. Arrivals in South Asia grew 10%, in South-East Asia 8% and in Oceania 7%. Arrivals to North-East Asia increased by 3%.

The Middle East (+5%) received 58 million international tourist arrivals in 2017 with sustained growth in some destinations and a strong recovery in others.

Related News

Name Price/Vol %Chg/NChg
KSE100 133,370.15
344.25M
1.08%
1421.08
ALLSHR 83,081.15
914.93M
1.23%
1011.89
KSE30 40,705.30
139.76M
0.79%
317.54
KMI30 192,580.68
159.45M
0.63%
1203.85
KMIALLSHR 55,835.71
548.23M
1.16%
641.74
BKTi 36,317.17
36.80M
1.36%
488.93
OGTi 28,542.96
8.63M
0.34%
96.61
Symbol Bid/Ask High/Low
Name Last High/Low Chg/%Chg
BITCOIN FUTURES 108,625.00 110,525.00
107,840.00
-1790.00
-1.62%
BRENT CRUDE 69.67 69.94
67.22
1.37
2.01%
RICHARDS BAY COAL MONTHLY 97.50 0.00
0.00
2.90
3.07%
ROTTERDAM COAL MONTHLY 106.00 106.75
106.00
0.25
0.24%
USD RBD PALM OLEIN 998.50 998.50
998.50
0.00
0.00%
CRUDE OIL - WTI 68.05 68.32
65.40
1.05
1.57%
SUGAR #11 WORLD 16.25 16.46
16.07
-0.13
-0.79%

Chart of the Day


Latest News
July 07, 2025 at 05:30 PM GMT+05:00

CCP cracks down on anti-competitive practices in FY25


July 07, 2025 at 04:42 PM GMT+05:00

China opens BRICS Customs Centre to boost trade ties


July 07, 2025 at 04:39 PM GMT+05:00

SECP wraps up 1,761 proceedings in FY25



Top 5 things to watch in this week

Pakistan Stock Movers
Name Last Chg/%Chg
Name Last Chg/%Chg