Travel Industry News at TravelNewsAsia.com since 1997. Interviews, podcasts, videos, pictures and more
Tue, 10 Sep 2019

International Tourist Arrivals Up 4% in H1 2019

According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals grew 4% from January to June 2019 when compared to the same period last year.

Growth was led by the Middle East (+8%) and Asia and the Pacific (+6%). International arrivals in Europe grew 4%, while Africa (+3%) and the Americas (+2%) enjoyed more moderate growth.

Destinations worldwide received 671 million international tourist arrivals between January and June 2019, almost 30 million more than in H1 2018 and a continuation of the growth recorded last year.

Cape Panwa Beach in Phuket, Thailand. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com Click to enlarge.

The growth in arrivals is returning to its historic trend and is in line with UNWTO’s forecast of 3% to 4% growth in international tourist arrivals for the full year 2019, as reported in the January Barometer.

So far, the drivers of these results have been a strong economy, affordable air travel, increased air connectivity and enhanced visa facilitation. However, weaker economic indicators, prolonged uncertainty about Brexit, trade and technological tensions and rising geopolitical challenges, have started to take a toll on business and consumer confidence, as reflected in a more cautious UNWTO Confidence Index.

Regional Tourism Performance

Europe grew 4% in the first six months of 2019, with a positive first quarter followed by an above-average second quarter (April: +8% and June: +6%), reflecting a busy Easter and the start of the summer season in the world’s most visited region. Intraregional demand fueled much of this growth, though performance among major European source markets was uneven, amid weakening economies. Demand from overseas markets such as the USA, China, Japan and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also contributed to these positive results.

Asia and the Pacific (+6%) recorded above world average growth during the January-June 2019 period, largely fueled by Chinese outbound travel. Growth was led by South Asia and North-East Asia (both +7%), followed by South-East Asia (+5%), and arrivals in Oceania increased by 1%.

In the Americas (+2%), results improved in the second quarter after a weak start of the year. The Caribbean (+11%) benefitted from strong US demand and continued to rebound strongly from the impact of hurricanes Irma and Maria in late 2017, a challenge which the region unfortunately faces once again. North America recorded 2% growth, while Central America (+1%) showed mixed results. In South America, arrivals were down 5% partly due to a decline in outbound travel from Argentina which affected neighboring destinations.

Canoeing in Marlow, England. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com Click to enlarge.

In Africa, limited available data points to a 3% increase in international arrivals. North Africa (+9%) continues to show robust results, following two years of double-digit figures, while growth in Sub-Saharan Africa was flat (+0%).

The Middle East (+8%) saw two strong quarters, reflecting a positive winter season, as well as an increase in demand during Ramadan in May and Eid Al-Fitr in June.

Source Markets

Chinese outbound tourism (+14% in trips abroad) continued to drive arrivals in many destinations in the region during the first half of the year though spending on international travel was 4% lower in real terms in the first quarter. Trade tensions with the USA as well as the slight depreciation of the Yuan, may influence destination choice by Chinese travelers in the short term.

Outbound travel from the USA, the world’s second largest spender, remained solid (+7%), supported by a strong dollar

In Europe, spending on international tourism by France (+8%) and Italy (+7%) was robust, though the United Kingdom (+3%) and Germany (+2%) reported more moderate figures.

Among the Asian markets, spending from Japan (+11%) was strong while the Republic of Korea spent 8% less in the first half of 2019, partly due to the depreciation of the Korean won. Australia spent 6% more on international tourism.

The Russian Federation saw a 4% decline in spending in the first quarter, following two years of strong rebound. Spending out of Brazil and Mexico were down 5% and 13% respectively, partly reflecting the wider situation of the two largest Latin American economies.

Headlines: AirAsia Cambodia Prepares for Take Off  Alex Schellenberger Joins Mandarin Oriental as Senior Vice President Brand  Ethiopian Airlines Opens E-Commerce Logistics Facility at Bole Addis Ababa Airport  Routes Americas 2024 Taking Place in Bogota, Colombia  Air Botswana Appoints APG as GSA in 16 Markets  Korean Air to Resume More Flights; Increase Services to Select Destinations  WestJet Appoints APG as Representative in South Korea; Airline to Launch YYC-ICN Flights in May  Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Opens in Fukui, Japan  Rolls-Royce to Expand Engine Build and Services Capacity in UK and Germany  United Airlines to Launch Los Angeles - Shanghai Flights; Increase LAX - HKG Service  Nine Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia  AirAsia X Launches Direct Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty, Kazakhstan  Singapore Airlines Revamps Premium Economy Class with New Menu and Amenity Kit  Amadeus Completes Acquisition of Voxel  Minor to Rebrand NH Museum Quarter Hotel in Amsterdam, Netherlands  U-Tapao Airport (UTP) in Rayong / Pattaya, Thailand - HD Video Interview with Ampika Chadawong  IndiGo to Launch Flights Between Mumbai and Colombo, Sri Lanka  Perth Airport (PER) in Western Australia - HD Video Interview with Stephanie Juszkiewicz  China Airlines to Launch Flights Between Taipei and Seattle, USA  TUMI Launches Capsule Collection in Partnership with NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team  AirAsia Malaysia to Resume Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Pattaya, Thailand  Thai Airways to Launch Flights from Bangkok to Colombo, Kochi and Perth  Munich Airport (MUC) in Bavaria, Germany - HD Video Interview with Michael Haeffner  Japan Tourism, World Expo 2025 and Japan Expo 2025 - HD Video Interview with Akira Watabe of JNTO  BBN Airlines Indonesia Receives Additional AOC from DGCA  Vietnam Airlines to Launch Flights from HAN and SGN to Munich Airport in Bavaria, Germany  Sabre Launches Booking Solution for New and Independent Travel Consultants  AirAsia Malaysia Launches A321neo Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Perth, Australia  Saudi Arabia's Air Connectivity Program - HD Video Interview with Rashed Alshammari, Vice President Commercial  Lui Chong Chee to Succeed Bob Tan as Chairman of the Boards of CapitaLand Ascott Trust  Sabah Tourism Board - HD Video Interview with Julinus Jeffery Jimit, Chief Executive Officer  Berlin Airport (BER) - HD Video Interview with Simon Miller, Senior Manager Market Intelligence  IndiGo to Launch Flights Between Chandigarh and Dharamshala, India  Skyco Partners Airbus; Orders Six H175 Helicopters  Jumeirah Appoints Michael Grieve as Chief Brand Officer  Cam Ranh Airport (CXR) in Nha Trang, Vietnam - HD Video Interview with Le Thi Hong Minh  Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang - HD Video Interview with Hotel GM, Jasmine Keh  Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh Appoints Lenen Mar Porras as ADOSM  United Confirms Flights to Cebu, Philippines as Airline Expands Network  Jumeirah Soft Opens First Hotel in Saudi Arabia  IHG Signs Two Luxury Hotels in KAFD Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Qatar Airways' NDC Content Now Available on Travelport+  Estelle Vassallo Moves to Italy as GM of Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel  Aviation: International RPK Up 20.8% in January 2024  Amora Completes Refurbishment and Rebranding of Hotel in Brisbane, Australia  Scoot Unveils Embraer E190-E2 Routes  IndiGo to Launch Flights from Jagdalpur to Hyderabad and Raipur  Jazeera Airways Appoints Barathan Pasupathi as CEO  Marriott Signs Le Meridien Hotel in Zanzibar  IATA Reports Air Cargo Data for January 2024  BFS Receives GDP Certification for Dedicated Pharma Handling Facility at BKK  Solomon Islands Welcomed 26,036 Visitors in 2023; Positive Outlook for 2024  Vietjet Signs MOU with Airbus for 20 A330-900 Aircraft  Hong Kong Airport Reports January 2024 Passenger and Cargo Numbers  Malaysia Aviation Group Becomes Official Airline Partner of MATTA Fair 2024  AirAsia Malaysia Launches Flights Between Kota Kinabalu and Shanghai, China  Taiwan's Starlux Airlines Orders Five Airbus A350 Freighters and Three A330neos  United Airlines to Resume Flights to Tel Aviv, Israel  Hahnair Appoints Stephen Chung as Regional Vice President Asia Pacific  Korean Air Cargo Expands Partnership with Vienna Airport  IndiGo to Launch Daily Flights Between Bengaluru and Bali, Indonesia  Thai Airways Confirms Boeing 787-9 Order  SkyScape Becomes Eve Air Mobility's First Urban ATM Customer in Japan  Royal Brunei Airlines Orders Four Boeing 787-9 Aircraft  TransNusa Airlines Rebranding as a Premium Service Carrier  Moxy Hotel Opens in Bangkok, Thailand  Peninsula Bangkok Appoints Masahisa Oba as Managing Director  Silk Avia Takes Delivery of First New ATR 72-600 Turboprop Aircraft in Central Asia  Korean Air to Enhance Retailing Strategy with Accelya's FLX Platform  Rohit Pandey Returns to Minor as GM of the Anantara Jaipur Hotel  Marriott Soft Opens First Moxy Hotel in Malaysia  AirAsia X to Launch Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty, Kazakhstan on 14 March  Malaysia Airlines Opens Ticketing Outlet at Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya  Marriott Expands Apartments with Properties Signed in Italy, USA and Saudi Arabia  Stockholders of Hawaiian Holdings Vote to Adopt Merger Agreement with Alaska Airlines  Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2024 Opens Online Registration for Buyers and Sellers  Lore Group's Five Design-Led Hotels Join Global Hotel Alliance  Hilton Partners Small Luxury Hotels of the World  British Airways Using E-Logs Platform to Predict and Enhance Aircraft Maintenance Issues  Surf Air Mobility Secures Early Delivery Positions for 90 Electra eSTOL Aircraft  Nine Exclusive Video Interviews with VIPs at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos  Thai Airways to Unveil Details of Boeing Aircraft Order at Singapore Air Show 2024  Hong Kong Reports Provisional Visitor Arrival Numbers for January 2024  Accor Hotels in New Zealand to Become Gold Standard Sustainable Tourism Businesses  American Express Opens World's Largest Centurion Lounge at ATL Airport in USA  Minor Hotels Reports Record Full Year Figures  Korean Air's Acquisition of Asiana Gets Conditional Clearance from European Commission  CapitaLand Establishes CLARA Fund II; Acquires Two lyf-Branded Properties as Seed Assets  ATR Receives B-Score from CDP Climate Change  Dassault to Showcase Falcon 6X and Falcon 2000LXS at the Singapore Air Show 2024  IHG's Expanding Hotel Portfolio in Vientiane - Interview with Murali Viswanathan, CGM  Settha Palace Hotel in Vientiane, Laos - Interview with Hala Krimi, General Manager  Vietjet Launches Flights Between Saigon and Chengdu, China  Inthira Vang Vieng Hotel in Laos - Interview with Charles-David Hay, General Manager  IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City Appoints Pranav Vohra as Cluster Commercial Director  S Vang Vieng Boutique Hotel in Laos - Interview with Sengnikone Bouphaphanh  Full Moon Island Resort in Kaoh Sdach, Cambodia - Interview with Indra Khanitha Lay Prohas  Jetstar Launches Flights from Brisbane to Osaka and Seoul  IHG to Expand Six Senses Brand to Kyoto, Japan  DiscoverLaos - HD Video Interview with Southisack Sayasavanh, Tours Director  Cosi Vientiane Nam Phu Hotel - Interview with Pasin Nopsuwan, General Manager  Hyatt Expands JdV Brand of Hotels to Goa, India  Thailand to See Increase in Chinese New Year Tourism Spend  Lao Airlines - Exclusive Video Interview with Chanthanon Khampheng at ATF 2024  Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort in Laos - Interview with Michelle Wang, Travel Director  Marriott Hotel Opens on Gurney Drive in Penang, Malaysia  Emirates to Increase Capacity on Flights to Osaka, Japan  Michelle Lee Joins Pullman Bangkok Hotel G as General Manager  Rosewood Makes Changes to Senior Management Team  Smiths Detection to Upgrade Security at Fukuoka Airport in Japan  Standard to Open Residences in Hua Hin and Phuket, Thailand; Video Interview with Amar Lalvani  AirAsia Indonesia Launches Flights Between Jakarta and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia  Philippine Airlines to Deploy Amadeus Traveler DNA  Mantra Club Croc Airlie Beach Completes A$8 Million Refurbishment of All 160 Guestrooms  Vietjet Wet Leases Two Aircraft to Meet Surge in Lunar New Year Travel Demand  Singapore Cruise Centre to Upgrade Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal  IHG Signs New-Build 150-Key Holiday Inn Hotel in Guwahati, India  Thai AirAsia Launches Flights from Bangkok (DMK) to Shanghai and Kaohsiung  TFE Signs New-Build Apartment Hotel in Brisbane, Australia  Ritz-Carlton Hotel Opens in Las Colinas Area of Dallas, USA  8 NTO Press Conferences from the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos  13 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from World Travel Market 2023 in London, England  5 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France  15 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye  Electric Airport Taxis at Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan - Video Interview with Co-Founder  Pictures from Miss International Queen 2023 Transgender Beauty Pageant in Pattaya, Thailand  Exclusive Video Interviews with 17 Miss International Queen 2023 Contestants  Living With One Eye - Six Years On by Steven Howard  HD Videos and Interviews  Podcasts from HD Video Interviews  RSS Feed - Travel Industry News  Ticker - Travel Industry News  Travel Industry News Archives  Travel Trade Shows  High-Res Picture Galleries  Travel News Asia - Latest Travel Industry News 

See latest HD Video Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: UNWTO, Tourism, Arrivals.

Subscribe to our Travel Industry News RSS Feed Travel Industry News RSS Feed from TravelNewsAsia.com. To do that in Outlook, right-click the RSS Feeds folder, select Add a New RSS Feed, enter the URL of our RSS Feed which is: https://www.travelnewsasia.com/travelnews.xml and click Add. The feed can also be used to add the headlines to your website or channel via a customisable applet. Have questions? Please read our Travel News FAQ. Thank you.

     
Advertising
Advertising
Copyright © 1997-2024 TravelNewsAsia.com