In 2015, world tourism recorded a record number of 1.184 billion international tourists, an increase of 4.4% or 50 million people compared to the previous record from 2014, announced the World Tourism Organization, UNWTO.
UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai stated that 2015 is the 6th consecutive year in which international tourism continues to grow above the long-term trend projected by UNWTO for the 2010-2020 period, which was 3.8%.
The number of international tourists visiting Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the American continent increased by 5% in all three cases, while it decreased by 8% in North Africa, where countries like Tunisia were affected by attacks against tourist areas.
Last year, a series of attacks affected several important global tourist destinations such as Tunisia, Egypt, and Turkey.
For 2016, UNWTO estimates a new 4% increase in international tourist arrivals worldwide.
Source: Capital
Frequently Asked Questions
How many international tourists were recorded in 2015?
In 2015, world tourism reached a record high of 1.184 billion international tourists, representing a 4.4% increase over the previous year.
Which regions experienced the highest growth in tourism?
Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Americas all saw a 5% increase in international tourist arrivals during 2015.
What is the tourism outlook for 2016 according to UNWTO?
The UNWTO estimates a further 4% growth in international tourist arrivals worldwide for the year 2016.