International tourist
arrivals grew by 5% during the first half of 2013 compared to the same period
of 2012, reaching almost 500 million, according to data just released by UNWTO.
Growth was above the projection made at the beginning of the year (+3% to +4%)
and is also exceeding the trend of the UNWTO long-term outlook Tourism Towards
2030 (+3.8% a year).
Destinations around the
world welcomed an estimated 494 million overnight visitors in the first six
months of 2013, according to the Advance Edition of the UNWTO World Tourism
Barometer released on the occasion of the UNWTO 20th General Assembly. This
represents an increase of 5% or an additional 25 million international tourists
compared to the same period of 2012. Growth was stronger in emerging economy
destinations (+6%) than in advanced economies (+4%), a trend which has marked
the sector for many years now.
“The fact that
international tourism grew above expectations confirms that travelling is now
part of consumer patterns for an increasing number of people in both emerging
and advanced economies” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “This
underlines the need to rightly place tourism as one of the key pillars of
socio-economic development, being a leading contributor to economic growth,
exports and jobs.”
In a still uneven global
economic environment, results were positive in all regions and subregions,
though the overall picture was mixed. Europe (+5%) performed surprisingly
stronger than expected, driven by Central and Eastern
Europe (+10%) and Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+6%). Asia
and the Pacific (+6%) also exceeded expectations, boosted by South-East Asia
(+12%) and South Asia (+7%). On the other
hand, results were weaker than anticipated in the Americas
(+2%), as South America and the Caribbean
lagged behind.
The first semester
normally accounts for some 45% of the total arrivals count of the year (the
Northern hemisphere high season months of July and August fall into the second
semester). Growth is expected to continue in the second half of 2013 but at a
gradually slower pace. UNWTO forecasts 2013 to end at 4% or slightly above,
thus exceeding the initial estimate for the year.
Asia and the Pacific and Europe lead
Asia and the Pacific (+6%)
saw robust growth boosted by the increase in arrivals to South-East Asia
(+12%), a subregion which is maintaining the extraordinary momentum of recent
years, and South Asia (+7%).
In Europe ,
international tourist arrivals were up 5% despite the lingering economic
difficulties. Growth was led by Central and Eastern Europe (+10%) and Southern
and Mediterranean Europe (+6%).
The Americas (+2%)
reported a rather weaker first half of 2013 compared to the strong growth of
previous years. Central America (+4%) performed above the region’s average, while
arrival numbers were flat in the Caribbean and in South
America .
In Africa (+4%), the
growth of recent years was sustained during the first half of 2013 due to the
continued recovery of North Africa (+4%) and the positive results of
Sub-Saharan destinations (+4%).
The Middle
East rebounded after two years of negative growth with an
estimated increase in international arrivals of 13%. Yet, results should be
taken with caution as growth is rather uneven across destinations and this
assessment is based on still limited available data and reflects data up to
June only.
Tourism expenditure growth
driven by emerging economies
Emerging economy outbound
markets continue to drive growth both to emerging and advanced economy
destinations.
China (+31%) and Russia
(+22%) led the growth in expenditure on travel abroad among the top ten most
important source markets in the world during the first half of 2013. Outside
the top ten, Brazil
is back with a 15% increase after a more moderate 2012.
Expenditure from
traditional markets, on the other hand, was more modest. Canada (+3%) and
France (+2%) led the group, followed by the flat results of the United States,
Germany and the United Kingdom, and negative figures from Japan, Australia and
Italy.