UNWTO; International travel reached 1,322 million in 2017, an increase of 7%
According to data released by UNWTO - the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the number of people traveling worldwide reached 1,322 million in 2017, an increase of 7%. This rate was the highest growth figure achieved in the last seven years since 2010. According to the report, this strong momentum will continue in 2018 with growth of 4% to 5%.
Mediterranean destinations played a particularly important role in this growth rate. The number of visitors to European destinations increased by 8% compared to 2016. African countries also recorded an 8% increase last year compared to 2016. The increase figures recorded in other regions were as follows: Asia-Pacific 6%, the Middle East 5%, and the Americas 3%.
The strong rebound and significant increase in visitor numbers achieved last year by destinations that had experienced significant losses in the previous period was the most important development of 2017 in the international travel sector.
On the other hand, the secondary factors that played a role in this development were the "partial recovery experienced in the global economy" and the subsequent "increase in the number of people traveling abroad from countries such as Russia and Brazil, which are among the traditional and emerging markets."
In his statement on the subject, the new Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili, noted that following the strong increase in international travel in 2017, the tourism sector once again played a key role in global economic growth.
Growth will continue in 2018 as well
It was stated that the growth trend experienced in the international travel sector will continue in 2018 as well. According to the projections of the UN World Tourism Organization, international travel sector growth of 4% to 5% will be recorded in 2018. Accordingly, this growth figure projected for 2018 will be above the 3.8% average growth figure projected by the UN World Tourism Organization for the 2010-2020 period.
In 2018, Europe and the Americas are projected to grow by 3.5% to 4.5%, the Asia-Pacific countries by 5% to 6%, Africa by 5% to 7%, and the Middle Eastern countries by 4% to 6%.
2017 figures by continent and subregion
In 2017, the number of people traveling to European countries reached 671 million visitors, an increase of 8%. In the subregions of Europe, the following increase figures were recorded:
Southern Europe / Mediterranean Region: 13%
Western Europe: 7%
Northern Europe: 5%
Central and Eastern Europe: 5%
The Asia-Pacific region countries, meanwhile, completed 2017 at a level of 324 million tourists with a growth figure of 6%.
The growth figures by subregion were as follows:
South Asia: 10%
Southeast Asia: 8%
Oceania: 7%
Northeast Asia: 3%
In 2017, the Americas hosted 207 million tourists with an increase rate of 3%.
The growth figures by subregion were as follows:
South America: 7%
Central America: 4%
The Caribbean: 4%
North America: 2%
According to the data obtained, the African continent recorded an increase of 8% in 2017, reaching a level of 62 million visitors.
The growth figures by subregion were as follows:
North Africa: 13%
Sub-Saharan Africa: 5%
The Middle Eastern countries, meanwhile, hosted 58 million tourists in 2017 with an increase of 5%.
2017 International Tourism Results: the highest in seven years
International tourist arrivals grew by a remarkable 7% in 2017 to reach a total of 1,322 million, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This strong momentum is expected to continue in 2018 at a rate of 4%-5%.
Based on data reported by destinations around the world, it is estimated that international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) worldwide increased 7% in 2017. This is well above the sustained and consistent trend of 4% or higher growth since 2010 and represents the strongest results in seven years.
Led by Mediterranean destinations, Europe recorded extraordinary results for such a large and rather mature region, with 8% more international arrivals than in 2016. Africa consolidated its 2016 rebound with an 8% increase. Asia and the Pacific recorded 6% growth, the Middle East 5% and the Americas 3%.
2017 was characterised by sustained growth in many destinations and a firm recovery in those that suffered decreases in previous years. Results were partly shaped by the global economic upswing and the robust outbound demand from many traditional and emerging source markets, particularly a rebound in tourism spending from Brazil and the Russian Federation after a few years of declines.
“International travel continues to grow strongly, consolidating the tourism sector as a key driver in economic development. As the third export sector in the world, tourism is essential for job creation and the prosperity of communities around the world.” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “Yet as we continue to grow we must work closer together to ensure this growth benefits every member of every host community, and is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals”.
Growth expected to continue in 2018
The current strong momentum is expected to continue in 2018, though at a more sustainable pace after eight years of steady expansion following the 2009 economic and financial crisis. Based on current trends, economic prospects and the outlook by the UNWTO Panel of Experts, UNWTO projects international tourist arrivals worldwide to grow at a rate of 4%-5% in 2018. This is somewhat above the 3.8% average increase projected for the period 2010-2020 by UNWTO in its Tourism Towards 2030 long-term forecast. Europe and the Americas are both expected to grow by 3.5%-4.5%, Asia and the Pacific by 5%-6%, Africa by 5%-7% and the Middle East by 4%-6%.
2017 results by UNWTO region
International tourist arrivals in Europe reached 671 million in 2017, a remarkable 8% increase following a comparatively weaker 2016. Growth was driven by the extraordinary results in Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+13%). Western Europe (+7%), Northern Europe and Central and Eastern Europe (both +5%) also recorded robust growth.
Asia and the Pacific (+6%) recorded 324 million international tourist arrivals in 2017. Arrivals in South Asia grew 10%, in South-East Asia 8% and in Oceania 7%. Arrivals to North-East Asia increased by 3%.
The Americas (+3%) welcomed 207 million international tourist arrivals in 2017, with most destinations enjoying positive results. South America (+7%) led growth, followed by Central America and the Caribbean (both +4%), with the latter showing clear signs of recovery in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria. In North America (+2%), robust results in Mexico and Canada contrasted with a decrease in the United States, the region’s largest destination.
Based on available data for Africa, growth in 2017 is estimated at 8%. The region consolidated its 2016 rebound and reached a record 62 million international arrivals. North Africa enjoyed a strong recovery with arrivals growing by 13%, while in Sub-Saharan Africa arrivals increased by 5%.
The Middle East (+5%) received 58 million international tourist arrivals in 2017 with sustained growth in some destinations and a strong recovery in others.