MANILA, Philippines — International tourist arrivals last year hit the 2020 target of 1.4 billion, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported.
“UNWTO estimates that worldwide international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased 6 percent to 1.4 billion in 2018, clearly above the 3.7 percent growth registered in the global economy,” the organization said.
Based on the UNWTO’s long-term forecast published in 2010, international tourist arrivals were predicted to hit the 1.4 billion mark in 2020.
“Yet stronger economic growth, more affordable air travel, technological changes, new business models and greater visa facilitation around the world have accelerated growth in recent years,” the UNWTO said.
The Middle East posted the largest growth in international arrivals last year at 10 percent. This is followed by Africa with 7 percent and Asia-Pacific and Europe, both at 6 percent.
Meanwhile, arrivals to the Americas were below the world average at 3 percent.
“The growth of tourism in recent years confirms that the sector is today one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth and development,” UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said.
“It is our responsibility to manage it in a sustainable manner and translate this expansion into real benefits for all countries, and particularly to all local communities, creating opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship and leaving no one behind.This is why UNWTO is focusing 2019 on education, skills and job creation,” he added.
Moving forward, the UNWTO forecasts international arrivals to grow 3 to 4 percent this year.
“Overall, 2019 is expected to see the consolidation among consumers of emerging trends such as the quest for ‘travel to change and to show,’ ‘the pursuit of healthy options’ such as walking, wellness and sports tourism, ‘multigenerational travel’ as a result of demographic changes and more responsible travel,” the UNWTO said.
“As a general backdrop, the stability of fuel prices tends to translate into affordable air travel while air connectivity continues to improve in many destinations, facilitating the diversification of source markets,” the UNWTO said.
It added that trends also show strong outbound travel from emerging markets, especially India and Russia but also from smaller Asian and Arab source markets.
The UNWTO also emphasized that the global economic slowdown, the uncertainty related to Brexit, as well as geopolitical and trade tensions may prompt a “wait and see” attitude among investors and travelers.
“Digitalization, new business models, more affordable travel and societal changes are expected to continue shaping our sector, so both destination and companies need to adapt if they want to remain competitive,” Pololikashvili said.