In 2011, international tourism
receipts exceeded US$ 1 trillion for the first time, up from US$ 928 billion in
2010.
According to the latest UNWTO
World Tourism Barometer, international tourism receipts continued to recover
from the losses of crisis year 2009 and hit new records in most destinations,
reaching an estimated US$ 1,030 billion (euro 740 billion) worldwide, up from
US$ 928 billion (euro 700 billion) in 2010. In real terms (adjusted for
exchange rate fluctuations and inflation), international tourism receipts grew
by 3.8%, while international tourist arrivals increased by 4.6% in 2011 to 982
million. This confirms the close correlation between both indicators, with
growth of receipts tending to lag slightly behind growth of arrivals in times
of economic constraints.
“These are encouraging results,”
said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “The past two years have shown
healthy demand for international tourism out of many markets, even though
economic recovery has been uneven. This is particularly important news for
countries facing fiscal pressure and weak domestic consumption, where
international tourism, a key export and a labour intensive activity, is
increasingly strategic to balancing external deficits and stimulating
employment.”
“We trust that governments
worldwide will progressively recognize this and engage in measures that support
tourism including fairer tax policies and the facilitation of visas and
travellers’ movements, as these have proven to stimulate economic growth and
job creation,” he added.
By regions, the Americas (+5.7%) recorded the largest increase
in receipts in 2011, followed by Europe (+5.2%), Asia and the Pacific (+4.3%)
and Africa (+2.2%). The Middle
East was the only region posting negative growth (-14%).
Europe holds the largest share of
international tourism receipts in absolute numbers (45% share), reaching US$
463 billion (euro 333 bn) in 2011, followed by Asia and the Pacific (28% share
or US$ 289 billion/euro 208 bn), and the Americas (19% share or US$ 199
billion/euro 143 bn). The Middle East (4% share) earned US$ 46 billion (euro 33
bn) and Africa (3% share) US$ 33 billion (euro
23 bn).
Asides from international tourism
receipts (the travel item of the Balance of Payment), tourism also generates
export earnings through international passenger transport. The latter amounted
to an estimated US$ 196 billion in 2011, bringing total receipts generated by
international tourism to US$ 1.2 trillion, or US$ 3.4 billion a day on average.
As a result, international tourism
(travel and passenger transport) currently accounts for 30% of the world’s
exports of services and 6% of overall exports of goods and services. As a
worldwide export category, tourism ranks fourth after fuels, chemicals and
food, while ranking first in many developing countries.
Strong growth
in international tourism expenditure from the BRIC countries
Many source markets generated
strong demand in 2011. However, it was the BRIC countries (Brazil , Russia ,
India , China ) that
continued to stand out. China’s expenditure on international tourism increased
by US$ 18 billion to US$ 73 billion, the Russian Federation increased by US$ 6
billion to US$ 32 billion, Brazil by US$ 5 billion to US$ 21 billion and India
by US$ 3 billion to US$ 14 billion. Together, their increases accounted for an
additional US$ 32 billion, a value equivalent to the eighth largest source
market by expenditure. Of the advanced economy source markets, Germany , Australia ,
Norway , Belgium and Canada reported the biggest
absolute growth.
Increases in
receipts in emerging and advanced economy destinations alike
Both advanced and
emerging economy destinations benefited from the 2011 growth in arrivals and
receipts. Destinations where international tourism receipts grew by US$ 5
billion or more in absolute terms include the United States (increasing by US$
13 bn to US$ 116 bn), Spain (by US$ 7 bn to US$ 60 bn), France (by US$ 7 bn to
US$ 54 bn), Thailand (by US$ 6 bn to US$ 26 bn) and Hong Kong (China) (by US$ 5
bn to US$ 27 bn). Furthermore, significant increases on lower base value
destinations were reported by Singapore ,
the Russian Federation , Sweden , India ,
the Republic of Korea
and Turkey .