Receipts from international tourism in destinations world wide grew by four per cent in 2012, reaching US$1,075 billion, figures from the UNWTO reveal.
This growth is the same as the four per cent increase in international tourist arrivals, which reached 1,035 million in 2012.
An additional US$ 219 billion was recorded in receipts from international passenger transport, bringing total exports generated by international tourism in 2012 to US$1.3 trillion.
According to the newest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourism receipts hit a brand new record in 2012, reaching an estimated US$1,075 billion worldwide, up four per cent in real terms, from US$ 1042 billion in 2011.
“It is encouraging to peer that the expansion in international tourist arrivals was equalled by a comparable increase in spending even with continued economic challenges” said UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai.
“Considering that tourism is a key export for plenty of economies all over the world, this result’s excellent news because it provides foreign reserves to destinations, and contributes to job creation in tourism in addition to in related economic sectors,” he added.
By regions, the Americas (up seven per cent) recorded the most important increase in receipts, followed by Asia and the Pacific (up six per cent), Africa (up five per cent) and Europe (up two per cent).
Receipts inside the Middle East were still down (down per cent); yet report a gradual improvement in comparison with the decline recorded in 2011.
In absolute values, Europe saw US$ 457 billion in tourism earnings, similar to 43 per cent of the world’s total tourism receipts, the biggest share by region.
The top ten ranking of destinations by receipts remained virtually unchanged in 2012, with the usa, Spain, France, China and Italy leading, followed by Macau (China), Germany, Uk, Hong Kong (China) and Australia.