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Global Tourism

Key Facts and Figures

The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) estimates there were 846 million international visitor arrivals globally in 2006, a 5.4% increase over the same period of the previous year. Europe received 55% of all international visitor arrivals (460.8 million), Asia Pacific received 20% (167.2 million), Americas received 16% (135.9 million), the Middle East and Africa received 5% each (41.8 million and 40.7 million respectively).

Growth in visitor arrivals globally is forecast at 4.1% annually for the period 1995 to 2020. By 2010 it is forecast there will be 1.006 billion arrivals globally and by 2020 it is forecast there will be 1.561 billion arrivals.

Long haul travel is forecast to grow faster (5.4%) than short haul travel (3.8%) for the 1995 to 2020 period. This will result in a shift of the ratio between intraregional and long haul travel from 82:18 in 1995 to 76:24 in 2020.

In dollar terms, international tourism receipts received globally in 2006 are estimated in excess of $US733 billion, a 8.4% increase over the same period of the previous year.

Source: World Tourism Organisation – Tourism Highlights 2007 Edition

WTO - World Tourism Organisation

The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) is an agency of the United Nations that acts as a global forum for tourism policy issues and the dissemination of tourism knowledge. It plays a role in promoting technology transfers and international cooperation, stimulating public-private sector partnerships and in encouraging the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. Membership in the WTO is comprised of 144 countries, 7 territories and more than 300 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

Key research elements of the www.unwto.org site are:

Topline data
Market trends
Market intelligence
Forecasts

WTTC - World Travel and Tourism Council

The Word Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) was established in 1990 as the global forum representing all sectors of the travel and tourism industry. Its mission is to raise awareness of the full economic and employment impact of the global travel and tourism industry. In partnership with Oxford Economic Forecasting the WTTC annually undertakes the Tourism Satellite Accounts as a means for measuring the economic impact of tourism on national economies. Following the Global Travel and Tourism Summit in May 2007 the WTTC produced the publication Breaking Barriers – Managing Growth to focus stakeholders on emerging issues and the possible responses.

Key research elements of the www.wttc.org are:

Tourism Satellite Account
Blueprint for New Tourism