Phenomenal increase of the world tourism in 2015

By Despina Afentouli, Dr in Sociology – Journalist,  (e-mail: [email protected]).

According to the latest Barometer of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the international tourism arrivals in 2015 have shown increase of 4,4%, the highest percentage since 2010.

In comparison to 2014, in 2015 around fifty million more tourists traveled to international destinations.

5% increase has been noted in Europe, the U.S.A., Asia and the Pacific. The Middle East has been increased by 3%, while in Africa reductions to 3% have been estimated.

It is worth mentioning that the increase of the world tourism in 2015 [has been noted] to destinations with strong currency and economy, such as China, the U.S.A. and from Europe, especially the United Kingdom.

Decrease have shown the Russian Federation and Brazil, lower increase [have shown] Italy, Germany and Australia and lower tourism demand [have shown] France and Canada.

The results of 2015 have been affected by the exchange rate, the oil prices and the environmental and humanitarian crises, to different places of the world, highlights the Secretary General of the World Organization Tourism, Taleb Rifai, calling the governments to include to their national security plans, policies on tourism, which secure decisively the protection of the tourists from threats and promote it as booster to their security.

According to recent estimations of both the SETE Intelligence and the travel club Tui research, the tourism increase is noted for Spain and restricted increase for Greece, especially after the attacks in Turkey and Tunisia.

To be noted that in 2016, positive growth of the World Tourism Organization (+4%) is expected, however in a lower rate than that of the last two decades.