UNWTO - International tourist arrivals reached 1.5 billion in 2019...

UNWTO Madrid, Spain, 20 January 2020 - International tourist arrivals reached 1.5 billion in 2019.

All regions saw an increase in international arrivals in 2019. However, the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the collapse of Thomas Cook, geopolitical and social tensions and the global economic slowdown caused slower growth in 2019 compared with the exceptional rates of 2017 and 2018.

This slowdown affected the advanced economies, particularly Europe and Asia and the Pacific.

• International tourist arrivals worldwide (overnight visitors) grew by 3.8% in 2019 (an increase of 54.9 million over 2018), reaching 1.5 (1.461) billion.

• Although 2019 was slower than the exceptional rates of 2017 (+6%) and 2018 (+6%), it was a year of strong growth. Demand was mainly slower in the advanced economies and especially in Europe.

• The uncertainty surrounding Brexit, geopolitical and trade tensions and the global economic slowdown affected growth. 2019 was also a year of major changes in the sector, with the collapse of Thomas Cook and several low-cost airlines in Europe.

• All regions recorded an increase in arrivals. The Middle East (+8%) grew the most, followed by Asia and the Pacific (+5%). While international arrivals to Europe and Africa (both +4%) grew in line with the world average, the Americas recorded 2% growth.

• The Middle East emerged as the fastest-growing region for international tourism arrivals in 2019, growing by almost double the global average (+8%). Growth in Asia and the Pacific slowed but still grew above the average, with international arrivals up 5%.

• By main source markets, France reported the strongest increase in international tourism expenditure among the top ten markets, while the USA led growth in absolute terms.

• Based on current trends, economic prospects and the UNWTO Confidence Index, UNWTO forecasts growth of 3% to 4% in international tourist arrivals worldwide in 2020.

Europe (+4%), where growth was slower than in previous years, maintains its leadership in international tourist arrivals, having hosted 743 million international tourists (51% of the global market) last year. While North and South America (+2%) declined partly due to the ongoing social and political turmoil in South America, the recovery of many destinations in the Caribbean after the 2017 hurricanes consolidated the situation.

Tourism expenditure still strong

Against the backdrop of the global economic slowdown, tourism expenditure continued to grow. France reported the strongest increase in international tourism expenditure among the world’s top ten outbound markets (+11%), while the USA (+6%) led growth in absolute terms as the dollar strengthened.

However, some large emerging markets such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia reported a decline in tourism expenditure. China, the world’s largest source market, saw a 4% drop in expenditure despite a 14% increase in outbound trips in the first half of 2019.