Growth in international tourism is accelerating with global arrivals in the first four months of this year up 6% on last year following a 7% increase in 2017.
The figures, released by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), show worldwide receipts from international tourism rose 5% year on year in 2017 to $1.33 billion.
International arrivals in Europe in the first four months of this year rose above the global trend at 7% up year on year, with Southern Europe, the Mediterranean and Western Europe seeing 8% growth.
The Asia-Pacific region also recorded an 8% increase in the early part of this year, South-East Asia a 10% increase and South Asia 9%.
However, the Middle East saw just 4% growth and the Americas 3% – although South America reported above-trend growth of 8%.
A 9% fall year on year in the Caribbean reflected the continuing impact of last years’ damaging hurricane season.
The UNWTO noted the period January to April typically sees about 28% of annual arrivals worldwide.
It reported “confidence in global tourism remains strong” as it recorded the soaring numbers, noting it had forecast a 4%-5% rise in tourism this year on last.
The UNWTO also pointed out the figures exclude some major destinations including France, the UK, the US and China.
The Middle East led in growth in receipts last year with a 13% increase on 2016. Europe and Africa saw increases in tourism receipts of 8% year on year, with Asia-Pacific up 3% and the Americas stalling at 1%.
Europe recorded the highest absolute growth in revenue, up $50 billion to $512 billion or 38% of global international tourism receipts.
The UNWTO noted: “The sector has now seen uninterrupted growth in arrivals for eight straight years [and] 2017’s growth was the highest since 2010.”
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