World Tourism growth of 5% in the first 6 months of 2014

According to statistics in publications thermometer latest issue of the UNWTO, international tourist arrivals worldwide in the first 6 months of 2014 reached 517 million, up 22 million from the same period in year, equivalent to 4.6% growth.

Americas region increased the most (+ 6%), followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe and increase (+ 5%). Calculated by sub-region, South Asia and Northern Europe (+ 8%) are the two sub-regions with the best growth, followed by North Asia and South East Mediterranean (+ 7%).

According to the UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai His results showed that tourism is the world's growth momentum continued in recent years, providing economic development opportunities worldwide. Despite the political unrest in some countries and many challenges for the global economy, since 2010 international tourist arrivals grew an average of 5% per annum, opens up new avenues for increasing economic growth, exports and create jobs for the community.

In addition, the results are consistent with the results that UNWTO forecasts made in early 2014, Including 2014, the world expects international tourist arrivals will increase from 4 to 4.5%, higher than long-term forecast of 3.8% per year for the period 2010-2020 of UNWTO.

America led growth

Overall growth in the American countries reached 6%. Four sub-regions with growth + 6% North America, Mexico, Mexico, Central and South America; Caribbean increased by + 5%. Brazil is the host FIFA World Cup in 2014, has made a positive contribution to the growth rate of international visitors to South subregion US-international tourism revenue up 10% in first 7 months of 2014, private June and July increased by 60%.

Asia - Pacific region with an increase of 5% continued growth of the region in recent years, the South Asia sub-region + 8% and Northeast Asia + 7% for a score to lead such as Japan, South Korea, Malaysia achieved growth rates of up to double digits. This area is benefiting from the economic growth rate constant, continuous investment in infrastructure and apply liberal visa policy.

European area + 5% is much welcome the world's tourists, serial strong growth momentum in 2013 sub-regional objective of this year's Nordic + 8% and South Mediterranean + 7%. This result reflects the confidence index in Europe is gradually improving and signaling recovery in the key source markets of Europe.

International tourist arrivals to Africa increased by 3% with the recovery in North Africa (+ 4%). However, the current epidemic of Ebola outbreaks may affect tourism in the area due to misperceptions about the spread of the virus. According to Mr. Rifai, the need to do now is concentrate participation and support actions in the service sector as well as ensuring avoid misperceptions damaging to the economy, especially the tourism sector of the countries in this region.

International tourists to the Middle East estimated to decline by 4%, however this data is for reference only due to insufficient data from all reporting countries.

The developing economies are strengthened growth recovery

International arrivals data first 6 months of 2014 shows tourists of a number of countries have developed economies remain stable spending for traveling abroad. Spending tourist market in Australia is + 8%, Italy + 7%, USA 5%, France and Canada and increase + 3%.

Travel needs of the emerging source markets also continued to increase although at a slower rate than 2013 foreign tourist spending of Chinese tourists market in the first six months of 2014 increased 16% compared the same period in 2013, while the previous year grew by 26%, spending Russian hotel market in the first 6 months of 2014 increased by only 4% in 2013 as both a growth of 25%.

Pham Thanh (translated from UNWTO)