INTERNATIONAL. International tourist arrivals increased +4% year-on-year in the first half of 2019 to reach 671 million, according to the latest United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer.
In relative terms, the Middle East (+8%) and Asia and the Pacific (+6%) led growth between January and June. International arrivals in Europe grew +4%, while Africa (+3%) and the Americas (+2%) experienced more moderate growth.
According to UNWTO, growth in arrivals is returning to its historic trend and is in line with the organisation’s forecast of +3-4% growth in international tourist arrivals for full year 2019.
“So far, the drivers of these results have been a strong economy, affordable air travel, increased air connectivity and enhanced visa facilitation,” UNWTO said. “However, weaker economic indicators, prolonged uncertainty about Brexit, trade and technological tensions and rising geopolitical challenges, have started to take a toll on business and consumer confidence, as reflected in a more cautious UNWTO Confidence Index.”
Results by region
International tourist arrivals in Europe grew +4% in the first six months of 2019, with a positive first quarter followed by an above-average second quarter (April saw +8% growth and June +6%). The second quarter performance reflected a busy Easter and the start of the summer season, UNWTO noted.
Intraregional demand fuelled much of the growth, though performance among major European source markets was uneven, amid weakening economies. Demand from overseas markets such as the USA, China, Japan and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also contributed to the positive results, according to UNWTO.
Asia and the Pacific’s +6% growth was above the world average during the first half, and was largely fuelled by Chinese outbound travel. Growth was led by South Asia and Northeast Asia (both +7%), followed by Southeast Asia (+5%), with arrivals in Oceania up +1%.
In the Americas (+2%), results improved in the second quarter after a weak start to the year. The Caribbean (+11%) benefitted from strong US demand and “continued to rebound strongly from the impact of hurricanes Irma and Maria in late 2017, a challenge which the region unfortunately faces once again”, UNWTO said.
North America recorded +2% growth, while Central America (+1%) showed mixed results. In South America, arrivals were down -5% partly due to a decline in outbound travel from Argentina, which affected neighbouring destinations.
In Africa, UNWTO noted that while there were limited available data points, they pointed to a +3% increase in international arrivals. North Africa (+9%) continued to show robust results, following two years of double-digit figures, while growth in Sub-Saharan Africa was flat.
The Middle East (+8%) saw two strong quarters, reflecting a positive winter season, as well as an increase in demand during Ramadan in May and Eid Al-Fitr in June, UNWTO said.
Source markets
Performance was uneven across major tourism outbound markets, according to the UNWTO data. Chinese outbound tourism (+14% in trips abroad) continued to drive arrivals in many destinations in the region during the first half of the year. Spending on international travel was -4% lower in real terms in the first quarter. UNWTO noted that trade tensions with the USA as well as the slight depreciation of the yuan could influence destination choice by Chinese travellers in the short term.
Outbound travel from the USA, the world’s second largest spender, remained solid at +7%. This was supported by a strong dollar. In Europe, spending on international tourism by France (+8%) and Italy (+7%) was robust, though the UK (+3%) and Germany (+2%) reported more moderate figures.
Among the Asian markets, spending from Japan (+11%) was strong while South Korea spent -8% less in the first half of 2019, partly due to the depreciation of the Korean won. Australia spent +6% more on international tourism.
The Russian Federation saw a -4% decline in spending in the first quarter, following two years of strong rebound. Spending out of Brazil and Mexico was down -5% and 13% -respectively, partly reflecting the wider situation of the two largest Latin American economies.
