Growing, Growing, Growing Strong

The UNWTO reports that international tourism receipts in destinations around the world grew by 3.6% in 2015, which is in line with the 4.4% increase in international arrivals.

For the fourth consecutive year, international tourism grew faster than world merchandise trade, raising tourism’s share in world’s exports to 7% in 2015. The total export value from international tourism amounted to US$ 1.4 trillion.

Income generated by international visitors on accommodation, food and drink, entertainment, shopping and other services and goods reached an estimated US$ 1,232 billion in 2015, an increase of 3.6% accounting for exchange rate fluctuations and inflation. International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased by 4.4% in 2015, reaching a total of 1,184 million.

Alongside international tourism receipts, international tourism generated US$210 billion in exports through international non-resident passenger transport services, bringing the total value of tourism exports up to US$1.4 trillion, or US$ 4 billion a day on average.

UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai said that: “Tourism is today a major category of international trade in services. Despite a weak and slow economic recovery, spending on international tourism grew significantly in 2015, proving the sector’s relevance in stimulating economic growth, boosting exports and creating jobs for an increasing number of economies worldwide.”

International tourism represents 7% of total world exports and 30% of services exports. The share of tourism in overall exports of goods and services increased from 6% to 7% in 2015 as for the fourth consecutive year international tourism outgrew world merchandise trade, which grew 2.8% in 2015 according to recent data reported by the World Trade Organization.

Go to http://www.unwto.org .