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International tourists increased by 4% across the globe to September 2016






International tourists increased by 4% across the globe to September 2016. The World Tourism Barometer, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said that already in 2016, from January to September, there have been 956 million international tourists, which is a 4% increase from 2015 of 34 million people. After a strong start, the pace slowed somewhat in the middle of the year (Finchannel.com, 14 November 2016).

UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai, said ‘Tourism is one of the most resilient and fastest-growing economic sectors, but it is also very sensitive to risks, both actual and perceived.’

Asia and the Pacific led growth across the regions, with international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) up 9% to September 2016. The growth countries were Vietnam (up by 36%), the Republic of Korea (up by 34%), Japan (up by 24%), and Sri Lanka (up by 15%). However, all four sub-regions within Asia and Pacific experienced growth in the international tourism sector.

In Europe, international arrivals increased by 2%, with double-digit growth in Spain, Hungary, Portugal and Ireland, while France, Belgium and Turkey declined. The sub-regions of Northern Europe grew by 6% and Central and Eastern Europe grew by 5%. Western Europe declined by 1% and Southern Mediterranean Europe was stable at 0%.

International tourist arrivals in the Americas grew by 4% to September 2016. South America grew by 7%, Central America grew by 6%, with the Caribbean and North America growing by 4% each.

In Africa the international tourist arrivals grew by 8% with sub-Saharan destinations rebounding strongly throughout the year, while North Africa increased in the third quarter of 2016.

The international tourist arrivals to the Middle East declined by 6%.



The demand (source) of international tourists comes from China (a growth of 19%), the United Kingdom (up by 10%), the United States of America (up by 9%), Germany (up by 5%), and France (up by 3%).

Tourism spending increased by Australians (up by 9%), Koreans (up by 9%) and Italians (up by 3%). Tourism expenditure decreased by Russians (down by 37%) and Canadians (down by 2%).


MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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