International tourism up 5 percent in 2014: UNWTO
New figures published out of the UN show that the world has been on the move this year, with international tourism up five percent in the first half of 2014.
According to the UNWTO’s World Tourism Barometer, 517 million tourists made trips to international destinations between January and June 2014 -- 22 million more compared to the same period in 2013.
The Americas recorded the strongest growth (+6 percent), followed by Asia/Pacific and Europe (both at +5 percent).
Analysts note that South America benefitted significantly from the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil over the summer, with overall growth on the continent strong at 6 percent.
In Brazil, international tourism grew by 10 percent in the first seven months of the year, and soared to a whopping 60 percent in June and July during the games.
“These results show that tourism is consolidating the positive performance of recent years, providing development and economic opportunities worldwide”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai in a statement.
“Indeed, despite geopolitical and economic challenges, the number of international tourist arrivals has grown by 5% a year on average since 2010, a trend that has translated into more economic growth, more exports and more jobs”, he added.
International tourist arrivals are expected to increase by 4 to 4.5 percent worldwide over the full 2014 period.
In Asia, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia were among the most popular destinations for international tourists, each posting double-digit growth rates thanks to ongoing economic growth, investment in infrastructure and relaxed visa rules, says the report.
Europe remains the most visited region in the world, driven this year by Northern Europe (8 percent), and Southern Mediterranean Europe (7 percent).
