Global tourism grows in 2014
November 3, 2014, 10:23 pm

China is the world’s fourth most lucrative travel destination and also the source of a great number of global tourists [Archive]

Many of those came from Asia, where strengthened economies have created a wealthier middle class looking for adventure and luxury abroad.

While the overall growth in global journalism hit 5 per cent in the first six to nine months of 2014, regional growth revealed just how powerful rising economies like China had become in the tourism industry.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), growth in China as a source of tourists grew 16 per cent, with France and Italy growing at 10 and 8 per cent respectively.

Ninety-seven million Chinese traveled abroad in 2013, rising from 14 million in 2012, according to China’s National Tourism Administration in January. The figure is expected to rise over 100 million this year.

Other BRICS countries such as Brazil and Russia registered 5 and 4 per cent growth in number of global tourists.

“Among the top 25 source markets in expenditure, double-digit growth rates were registered in India (+31 per cent), Norway (+22 per cent), Sweden (+12 per cent), Taiwan (pr. of China) (+11 per cent) and the Republic of Korea (+10 per cent), the UNWTO report said.

The rise in global tourism appears – at least until September – not to have been thwarted by the crisis in Ukraine, the threat of international terrorism, or the spread of Ebola in West Africa.

But travel to Africa itself has dropped significantly since the Ebola outbreak, with tour operators reporting postponed or cancelled trips.

The worry about air and water quality has also started to put a dent in China’s once thriving tourism industry. Since 2012, China’s tour operators have reported nearly a three per cent decrease in numbers of visitors.

Although it is the world’s fourth most lucrative travel destination, there is a concern that smog and air pollution will keep would-be tourists away for many years.

This year’s fair in London also marked the first time countries such as North Korea and Saudi Arabia entered the tourism market.

Source: Agencies