The number of international tourist arrivals worldwide grew by 4% in the first half of 2015 according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. However, international tourist arrivals into Africa saw a decline.
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Data available for Africa, which is limited, indicates that international tourist numbers were down by 6% with a decline of 10% in arrivals to North Africa and 4% in sub-Saharan Africa.
This could be due to the impacts of terrorist attacks, the aftermath of the Ebola outbreak in a few West African countries and the slower growth of regional economies that depend on the export of oil and other commodities.
Europe, Asia and the Pacific and the Middle East all recorded 5% growth in international arrivals and the Americas recorded 4% growth. The Caribbean and Oceania saw a 7% increase in international tourists and Central and Eastern Europe and Central America saw a 6% growth.
According to the UNWTO forecast issued at the beginning of 2015, international tourist arrivals are expected to increase by 3% to 4% worldwide for the whole year, in line with the long-term forecast of an average growth of 3.8% a year set for the period 2010 to 2020.
Among the emerging markets, China and India both started the year with double-digit growth in the first quarter, according to UNWTO. Demand from traditional source markets, such as the US, France, Sweden and Spain, remains strong, while it is weaker in Germany, the UK, Italy and Canada.
Destinations worldwide received approximately 538 million international tourists between January and June 2015, an increase of 21 million compared with the same period in 2014.
“These results show that, despite increased volatility, tourism continues to consolidate the positive performance it has had over the last five years and to provide development and economic opportunities worldwide,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
