The latest United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Tourism Barometer shows that Africa’s tourism growth has overtaken Europe and Asia Pacific.
Between January and August this year, destinations worldwide welcomed 901 million international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors), 56 million more than in the same period in 2016 – a robust 7% increase, well above the growth seen in previous years.
UNWTO reported that Africa’s growth was by far the strongest coming in at 9%, Europe following close behind at 6%, and Asia and the Pacific at 6%, the Middle East at 5% and the Americas 3%.
Prospects for the last few months of 2017 look promising, say the experts consulted by the UNWTO.
This year is set to be the eighth consecutive year of continued substantial growth for international tourism. “Tourism is a major economic engine and employment generator, contributing to the improvement of livelihoods of millions of people around the world,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, in London.
Africa recorded the fastest growth in the UNWTO regions, which was largely attributed to the strong rebound in North Africa at 1% and the results of sub-Saharan Africa at 5%.
