UNWTO reports strong outbound tourism spend from both traditional and emerging markets in 2017

INTERNATIONAL. Almost all global markets reported higher spending on international tourism in 2017, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.

UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) said the trend reflected continued strong demand for international tourism across all world regions.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili: “Key emerging outbound markets contribute to growth and market diversification in many destinations”

Both emerging and advanced economies fuelled growth, the organisation reported. The USA led the way, spending US$12 billion more on travel abroad. It represents a +9% increase, to reach US$135 billion.

China spent US$8 billion more and consolidated its position as the biggest spender in travel abroad in the world. Its total expenditure was US$258 billion (+5% in local currency).

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The Russian Federation and Brazil spent US$7 billion and US$5 billion more respectively. UNWTO said both were rebounding from weaker spending in previous years. “Strong tourism expenditure reflects enhanced connectivity, increased visa facilitation and a global economic upswing,” the organisation said.

The Russian Federation’s total expenditure was up +13% to reach US$31 billion, putting it eighth in the world. Brazil’s was up +20% to reach US$19 billion, putting it 16th.

India continued its rise with +9% growth in spending to US$18 billion and moved up four places in UNWTO’s ranking to 17th.

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“Emerging economies play a key role in tourism development and we are very pleased to see the rebound of the Russian Federation and Brazil, and the ongoing rise of India,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “These key emerging outbound markets contribute to growth and market diversification in many destinations.”

In other advanced markets, expenditure from Germany and the UK – the third and fourth largest markets – both increased +3%.

Expenditure from the fifth largest market France increased +1%. Australia (sixth) reported +7% growth while Canada (seventh) saw a +9% increase. Completing the top ten are the Republic of Korea (ninth) where expenditure grew by +9%, and Italy (tenth) where it increased by +6%.

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Beyond the top ten, tourism spending also grew notably in Sweden (+14%) and Spain (+12%).

UNWTO said that the strong results in outbound tourism are consistent with the +7% increase in international tourist arrivals in 2017. It noted that demand for travel was particularly high in Europe, where arrivals increased +8% last year.

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