UNWTO Says International Tourism Spending Passes Two Billion Dollars a Day

July 12, 2006

UNWTO Says International Tourism Spending Passes Two Billion Dollars a Day
July 12, 2006 – According to World Tourism Organization, spending by tourists abroad now averages more than $2 billion (U.S.) a day. An estimated $682 billion was spent abroad by tourists in 2005, which is up $49 billion or nearly three a half percent on the previous year.

"Visitor spending continues its strong overall growth" said UNWTO Secretary General Francesco Frangialli "contributing substantially to global services exports and particularly to the overall trade balances of developing economies. Africa’s 7.8 percent increase is a significant success story."

In absolute terms all regions shared in the increase on visitor spending

• Europe up $19 billion, to $347 billion (51 percent of the world total)
• The Americas, up $13 billion to $145 billion (21 percent)
• Asia and the Pacific, $11 billion higher at $139 billion (20 percent)
• The Middle East up $3 billion to $29 billion (4 percent)
• Africa up $2 billion to $21 billion

In growth terms the order reverses

• Africa (up 7.8 percent)
• The Middle East (5.8 percent)
• Asia and the Pacific (4.5 percent)
• Americas (4.3 percent)
• Europe (2.3 percent)

In comparison to receipts, international tourist arrivals grew by 5.6 percent in 2005. Again Africa was the fastest growing region with a 10 percent increase, followed by the Middle East up 9.5 percent, Asia and the Pacific up 7.8 percent, Americas up 6.1 percent and Europe up 4 percent.

For more information, visit the UNWTO Web site.