Asia Pacific to lead long-term tourism growth

International tourist arrivals are forecast to reach 1.8 billion by 2030 according to the newly released UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) long-term forecast, Tourism Towards 2030.

International tourism will continue to grow in the period 2010-2030, but at a more moderate pace than the past decades, with the number of international tourist arrivals worldwide increasing by an average +3.3% a year. As a result, an average 43 million additional international tourists will join the tourism marketplace every year, said UNWTO.

At the projected pace of growth, arrivals will pass the 1 billion mark by 2012, up from 940 million in 2010. By 2030, arrivals are expected to reach 1.8 billion, meaning that in two decades’ time, 5 million people will be crossing international borders for leisure, business or other purposes such as visiting friends and family every day.

“The next 20 years will be of continued growth for the sector – a more moderate, responsible and inclusive growth,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai. ”This growth offers immense possibilities as these can also be years of leadership, with tourism leading economic growth, social progress and environmental sustainability,” he said.

Source - moodiereport