Global tourism growth outstrips forecasts
Tourist arrivals worldwide climbed by +6% in the first four months of 2018, compared to the same period last year, according to new figures from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
This not only continued the strong 2017 trend but exceeded UNWTO’s early forecast for 2018, western news agencies reported.
Growth was led by Asia and the Pacific (+8%) and Europe (+7%). Africa (+6%), the Middle East (+4%) and the Americas (+3%) also recorded sound results. Earlier this year, UNWTO’s forecast for 2018 was for a growth rate between +4-5%.
“International tourism continues to show significant growth worldwide, and this translates into job creation in many economies,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
According to the source, from January to April 2018, international arrivals increased in all regions, led by Asia and the Pacific (+8%), with sub-regions South-East Asia (+10%) and South Asia (+9%) driving results.