UNWTO reports 3.6% growth in tourism spend, 4.4% increase in arrivals in 2015

UNWTO reported (06-May-2016) global international tourism receipts grew 3.6% year-on-year in 2015, in line with the 4.4% increase in international arrivals, reaching 1,184 million. For the fourth consecutive year, international tourism grew faster than world merchandise trade, raising tourism's share of global exports to 7% in 2015. The total export value from international tourism amounted to USD1.4 trillion, ranking tourism third as a worldwide export category, after fuels and chemicals and ahead of food and automotive products. Key details include:

• Income generated by international visitors on services and goods was USD1,232 billion, +3.6% accounting for exchange rate fluctuations and inflation;
• International tourism generated USD210 billion in exports through international non-resident passenger transport services;
• International tourism represents 30% of global services exports.

Regional highlights:

• Unusually strong exchange rate fluctuations in 2015 seriously influenced receipts for individual destinations and regions, expressed in current US dollars. Taking into account exchange rate fluctuations and inflation, receipts in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific and the Middle East all grew by 4%, while Europe grew by 3% and Africa by 2%;
• The Caribbean, Central and South America show strong growth in international tourism receipts;
• The Americas continued to enjoy robust results both in international arrivals and receipts in 2015, with a strong US dollar fuelling outbound travel from the US and benefiting many destinations across the region. The Caribbean, Central America and South America all recorded 7% growth in receipts, while North America saw a 3% increase;
• The US (USD178 billion) China (USD114 billion), Spain (USD57 billion) and France (USD46 billion) remain the world's top tourism destinations both in international tourism receipts and tourist arrivals;
• China, the US and the UK led outbound tourism in 2015, fuelled by their strong currencies and economies:
• • Spending by Chinese travellers increased 25% in 2015 to reach USD292 billion, as total outbound travellers rose 10% to 128 million;
  • US outbound spending increased 9% to USD120 billion, while the number of outbound travellers grew by 8% to 73 million;
  • UK spending increased 8% to USD63 billion with 65 million of its residents travelling abroad, up 9%;
  • Germany reported a small decline in spending (USD76 billion), partly due to the weaker euro;
  • French expenditure on outbound tourism reached USD38 billion, Russia was USD35 billion and South Korea was USD25 billion. [more - original PR]