According to the UN World Tourism Organization, international travelers are projected to nearly double in size by 2020, lead by China, India and destinations in South-East Asia.
In 2007, international tourist arrivals grew by an estimated 6% to reach a new record figure of nearly 900 million – an astonishing achievement given that the 800 million mark was only reached two years earlier. This represents nearly 52 million more arrivals than in 2006, well over the total count for either the Middle East or Africa. In fact, world tourism enjoyed its fourth consecutive year of growth in 2007 above the long-term forecast of 4.1% and, surprisingly, it even exceeded the 5.5% increases recorded in 2005 and 2006.
For more information please download World Tourism Organization’s most recent report, the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.
