International tourism receipts surpass US$1 trillion
Guest Writers are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the specific writer directly
International tourism receipts exceeded US$1 trillion (£619bn) for the first time in 2011, up from £575bn in the previous year.
According to the latest UNWTO Tourism Barometer, receipts grew 3.8% last year following a 4.6% increase in international tourist arrivals. This continues the rebound from the losses of 2009 and hit new records in most destinations, reaching an estimated £638bn worldwide. This confirms the trend that receipts tend to lag behind growth of arrivals in times of economic hardship.
“These are encouraging results,” said Taleb Rifai, general secretary at UNWTO. “The past two years have shown healthy demand for international tourism out of many markets, even though economic recovery has been uneven. This is particularly important news for countries facing fiscal pressure and weak domestic consumption, where international tourism, a key export and a labour intensive activity, is increasingly strategic to balancing external deficits and stimulating employment.
“We trust that governments worldwide will progressively recognise this and engage in measures that support tourism including fairer tax policies and the facilitation of visas and travellers’ movements, as these have proven to stimulate economic growth and job creation,” he added.
By region, the Americas (+5.7%) recorded the largest increase in receipts in 2011, followed by Europe (+5.2%), Asia Pacific (+4.3%) and Africa (+2.2%). The Middle East was the only region posting a decline (-14%). Europe holds the largest share of international tourism receipts in absolute numbers (45%), reaching £286bn in 2011, followed by Asia Pacific (28% or £179bn), and the Americas (19% or £123bn).
