UK is missing out on boom in international tourism
Worldwide international tourist arrivals are believed to have risen 6% to 1.4 billion last year, but UK visitor numbers have been described as ‘weak’.
The Middle East saw the biggest increase of 10%, Africa was up 7%, Asia and the Pacific and Europe were both up 6%, while the Americas were up 3%, according to world tourism body UNWTO.
"The growth of tourism in recent years confirms that the sector is today one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth and development," said Zurab Pololiksshvili of UNWTO.
UNWTO’s long-term forecast published in 2010 predicted the 1.4 billion mark of international tourist arrivals would be reached in 2020, yet stronger economic growth, more affordable air travel, technological changes, new businesses models and greater visa facilitation around the word have accelerated growth in recent years, it said.
International tourist arrivals in Europe reached 713 million in 2018, with 6% growth driven by southern and Mediterranean Europe (+7%), central and Eastern Europe (+6%) and Western Europe (+6%).
Results in Northern Europe were flat due to the weakness of arrivals to the UK, according to UNWTO’s latest World Tourism Barometer.
Asia and the Pacific recorded 343 million international tourist arrivals in 2018. Arrivals in South-East Asia grew 7%, followed by North-East Asia (+6%) and South Asia (+5%). Oceania showed more moderate growth at +3%.
The Americas welcomed 217 million international arrivals in 2018, with mixed results across destinations. Growth was led by North America (+4%), and followed by South America (+3%), while Central America and the Caribbean were both down 2%, reflecting the impact of the~September 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria, said UNWTO.
Data from Africa points to a 7% increase in 2018 to an estimated 67 million arrivals, while the Middle East saw a 10% increase to 64 million.
Based on current trends, economic prospects and the UNWTO Confidence Index, the world tourism body is forecasting international arrivals to grow 3% to 4% next year, more in line with historic growth trends.
It said the global economic slowdown, uncertainty related to Brexit, as well as geopolitical and trade tensions, may prompt a ‘wait and see’ attitude among investors and travellers.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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