Asia powers rise in world tourism

I nternational

tourism grew 4.0% in the first half of this year, with Asia posting the strongest growth, the World Tourism Organisation said yesterday.

At around 561 million, the number of international tourists surged 21 million between January and June compared to the same period a year earlier, the Madrid-based United Nations agency said in a statement.

“Tourism has proven to be one of the most resilient economic sectors worldwide,” UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) secretary-general Taleb Rifai said in the statement.

Tourist arrivals rose at the fastest rate in the Asia-Pacific region, where numbers were up by nine% due to “robust intraregional demand”.

Africa, where an outbreak last year of Ebola in West Africa caused tourists to shun travel to the entire continent, posted a five-percent rise in international arrivals, with sub-Saharan African “recovering vigorously” with a 12% increase.

In Europe, the world’s most-visited region, tourist arrivals grew by 3%.

Growth in western Europe was sluggish, up by just 1%, while northern, central and eastern Europe each recorded 5% more international arrivals.

International arrivals in the Americas were up 4% in the first half of the year, in line with the global average.

People in China, the world’s top source market for international tourists, spent 20% more on international travel.

In the United States, the world’s secondlargest market, the rise was 8.0%, as the strong dollar made foreign travel cheaper.

In 2015, the number of international tourist arrivals grew by 4.4% from the previous year, to 1.2 billion.

The UN agency expects the figure will grow again by 4.0% this year.

In a separate development, the agency yesterday signed an agreement with Turkey to help the country boost its ailing tourism sector, which has suffered due to a string of bombings and a failed coup.

“The UNWTO will provide expert advice to help the Turkish government with its communications strategy and marketing,’’ a spokeswoman said.

“The agency will also assist Turkish efforts to boost the number of direct flights from key European markets,’’ she added.

“Turkey is absolutely important for us,” Rifai said after he and Turkish Tourism Minister Nabi Avci signed the agreement in Madrid.

“The people of Turkey were very brave in defending their democracy last week. It is our duty today to consolidate this action by supporting one of the most important economic sectors of Turkey which is tourism,” Rifai added.

“Together we are sending a message to the whole world. Turkey is back in business. Turkey is ready to receive its visitors.”