International tourism off to strong start in 2012 – UNWTO

According to the UNWTO international tourism continued to show sustained growth, in spite of challenging economic conditions, during the first two months of 2012.

According to the May issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, released in Batumi, Georgia on the occasion of the 54th UNWTO Commission for Europe, international tourist arrivals grew by an estimated 5.7% compared to the same period of 2011.

In Europe (+5%) results were above expectations, boosted by the strong growth in arrivals to Central and Eastern Europe (+8%) as well as to destinations of Northern Europe and Western Europe (both +6%).

Europe’s performance is a continuation of an already solid 2011, when international arrivals increased by 6% overall to over 500 million. Demand has held up surprisingly well in the comparatively mature advanced economy destinations of Northern, Western and parts of Southern and Central Europe, despite continued concerns about the economy.

 “These are welcome results for Europe in a moment in which countries are looking for sectors that can deliver on economic growth and job creation,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “We need to work together with tourism administrations to ensure that governments give priority to tourism as part of national policies to stimulate growth and employment. In this respect, the 54th Meeting of UNWTO Commission for Europe is focusing on levers that can further enhance tourism development, particularly the crucial issues of visa facilitation, tourism promotion and branding.”

At the same time, international tourism has been particular buoyant in many emerging economy destinations in Eastern Europe.

“Eastern European destinations have strong tourism potential provided they shape the adequate conditions. Georgia, this year’s host of the UNWTO Commission for Europe, is a remarkable example of a destination with a strong commitment towards tourism development,” added Rifai. “As a result, arrivals have almost tripled in the past five years, from just below a million in 2006 to close to 3 million in 2011, with international tourism receipts reaching almost US$ 1 billion in 2011.”

In the first months of 2012, growth was positive in all regions, with the exception of the Middle East (-1%), where there were nonetheless encouraging signs of recovery, such as in Egypt (+32% in the first quarter). South-East Asia and South Asia (both at +10%) led growth by sub region.

Africa was the fastest-growing region with an increase of over 7% in international tourist arrivals thanks to continued growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (+7%) and a clear rebound in North Africa (+8%) as Tunisia (+53% in the first quarter) started to recover.

Asia and the Pacific saw a 7% increase in tourist arrivals, led by South Asia and South-East Asia (both +10%).

North-East Asia (+6%) recorded higher growth as well, with arrivals to Japan up by almost 10% in the first quarter. The Americas also reported significant growth (+6%), driven by the sustained strong demand in South America (+8%) and Central America (+7%). Worldwide, international tourist arrivals surpassed 131 million in the first two months of 2012, up from 124 million in the same period of 2011.

According to the forecast prepared by UNWTO at the beginning of the year, international tourist arrivals are projected to increase by some 3% to 4% in 2012. For the year as a whole, the number of international tourist arrivals is expected to reach one billion for the first time.