Global tourism continues steady growth

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
Tourists take photos at the Golden Gate Bridge overlook in Marin County, California.

Tourists take photos at the Golden Gate Bridge overlook in Marin County, California. Bob Berwyn photo.

UN officials see tourism as an economic pillar

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Now that the World Tourism Organization has counted every last airline traveler, cruise passenger and backpacker, it’s official — international tourist arrivals grew by 4 percent in 2012 to surpass 1 billion for the first time ever, according to the latest update of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.

Emerging economies led the way, showing growth of 4.1 percent, compared to 3.6 percent growth among advanced economies, with Asia and the Pacific showing the strongest results. By region, Asia and the Pacific showed 7.1 percent growth. By sub-region, South-East Asia, North Africa (both at  plus 9 percent) and Central and Eastern Europe (plus 8 percent) topped the rankings.

Tourism officials say they expect growth to continue in 2013 at a slightly slower pace between 3 and 4 percent, continuing the trend from the last quarter of 2012, when demand was stronger than expected. (more…)

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Global tourist visits on track to pass 1-billion mark

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Tourists and locals throng the Viktualienmarkt in Munich, Germany.

WTO reports record numbers for first half of 2012

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Travelers from some of the world’s biggest countries helped spur global tourism to a new record level during the first half of 2012, keeping the industry on track to pass the 1-billion mark for the first time this year.

Through the end of June, the World Tourism Organization tallied 467 million tourist visits worldwide, a 5 percent increase from the same period last year. Economic uncertainties may slow growth the rest of the year, but international arrivals are still forecast to exceed 1 billion by the end of 2012.

Economic powerhouses China (plus 30 percent), the Russian Federation (up 15 percent), the USA (plus 9 percent), Germany (plus 6 percent) and Canada (up 6 percent) led the way in terms of outbound markets. Japan showed an 8 percent increase in spending on overseas tourism, a sign of recovery in an important market. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, economy, tourism, Travel | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

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