adminTHE United Nations World Tourism Organisation says international tourist arrivals grew 5 percent to 494 million in the first half of 2013 compared to the same period last year. In data released at the General Assembly which Zambia and Zimbabwe are co-hosting, the UN agency said the growth had exceeded expectations.
“Destinations around the world welcomed an estimated 494 million overnight visitors in the first six months of 2013.
“This represents an increase of 5 percent or an additional 25 million international tourists compared to the same period of 2012,” it said.
Arrivals had been largely expected to grow by 3 percent but a stronger performance by emerging economy destinations pushed the jump higher.
The Asia and Pacific region registered the highest growth of 6 percent followed by Europe at 5 percent.
Africa came third with a 4 percent growth while the Americas recorded a 2 percent increase in arrivals.
UNWTO secretary-general Mr Taleb Rifai said the growth in arrivals was critical and reflected the growing importance of the tourism sector.
“This underlines the need to rightly place tourism as one of the key pillars of socio-economic development, being a leading contributor to economic growth, exports and jobs,” he said.
The UN agency has forecast that overall growth will amount to 4 percent at the end of the year, with the first half expected to account for 45 percent of the total arrivals.
“Growth is expected to continue in the second half of 2013 but at a gradually slower pace.
“UNWTO forecasts 2013 to end at 4 percent or slightly above, thus exceeding the initial estimate for the year,” Mr Rifai said.
In 2012, total arrivals amounted to 1 035 billion up from 995 million in 2011. — New Ziana.
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