World tourism numbers hit new high, SEA and Mideast up, Nth Africa down
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International tourist arrivals grew by 4.4 percent in 2015 to reach a total of 1,184 million in 2015, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Around 50 million more tourists (overnight visitors) travelled to international destinations around the world last year as compared to 2014.
REGIONS
In regions with large Muslim populations, Southeast Asia's arrivals were up 5 percent, the Middle East grew by an estimated 3 percent to reach a total of 54 million, but North Africa was hit by an 8 percent plunge.
In other regions, Europe enjoyed a 5 percent rise, leading global growth in absolute and relative terms. Arrivals in Europe reached 609 million, or 29 million more than in 2014.
In Asia and the Pacific, Oceania enjoyed a very healthy 7 percent rise, while South Asia and Northeast Asia recorded an increase of 4 percent.
Growth was 5 percent in the Americas to reach 191 million visitors but Sub-Saharan Africa could only manage an anaemic 1 percent rise.
LEADING SOURCE MARKETS
China continues to lead global outbound travel and tourism expenditure, benefiting Asian destinations such as Japan and Thailand, as well as the United States and various European destinations.
The U.S. is the second biggest source market followed by the UK.
POSITIVE PROSPECTS FOR 2016
Results from the UNWTO Confidence Index remain largely positive for 2016, though at a slightly lower level as compared to the previous two years. Based on the current trend and this outlook, UNWTO projects international tourist arrivals to grow by 4 percent worldwide in 2016.
By region, growth is expected to be stronger in Asia and the Pacific (+4 percent to +5 percent) and the Americas (+4 percent to +5 percent), followed by Europe (+3.5 percent to +4.5 percent).
The projections for Africa (+2 percent to 5 percent) and the Middle East (+2 percent to +5 percent) are positive, though with a larger degree of uncertainty and volatility.
