<![CDATA[Tourism Directory]]> MemHT Portal <![CDATA[More Action Needed on Tourism Ethics]]> More Action Needed on Tourism Ethics
Madrid, 22 April 2010

More action must be taken to foster ethical tourism through reducing unnecessary travel restrictions, showing solidarity in times of crises and understanding that ethical behaviour and good customer service go hand in hand. This is the main message to emerge from the recent meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (Luxor, Egypt, 15-16 April).

]]> <![CDATA[Inaugural Boao International Tourism Forum looks into the tourism industry in the post-crisis ]]> Inaugural Boao International Tourism Forum looks into the tourism industry in the post-crisis
SANYA CITY, CHINA / MADRID, SPAIN, 26 MARCH 2010

As the world emerges from the global economic crisis, tourism’s contribution to the overall economic growth is more important than ever. As such, a favourable operating environment for tourism must be established to allow the industry to reach its full potential as a job creator and a driver of poverty alleviation and development. This was the consensus reached by tourism leaders from over 50 countries and regions, attending the inaugural 2010 Boao International Tourism Forum in Sanya City, Hainan Province, China (20-22 March).

]]> <![CDATA[Back to Normal in Madeira]]> Back to Normal in Madeira
MADRID, SPAIN 25 MARCH 2010

Following the storm that struck Madeira, Portugal, on 20 February, the island has returned to normal. Swift and efficient reconstruction work has taken place in the regional capital Funchal and across the rest of the island.

]]> <![CDATA[First Annual Hotel Energy Solutions Conference]]> First Annual Hotel Energy Solutions Conference
Madrid, Spain, 28 January 2010

The first Annual Hotel Energy Solutions Conference was held by UNWTO and partners at FITUR Madrid 2010.



The Conference revealed how Europe’s most innovative hotels, technology providers, destinations and certification schemes are driving the hotel sector’s competitiveness and sustainability through implementing smarter energy management.]]> <![CDATA[Statement by the UN World Tourism Organization on Haiti]]> Statement by the UN World Tourism Organization on Haiti
Madrid, Spain 14 January 2010

The UNWTO is deeply saddened by the losses of lives and devastation caused by the earthquake that struck Haiti and expresses its support to its people and sincere condolences to those who lost their loved ones.

]]> <![CDATA[“Stand Up, Take Action against Poverty and for the MDGs” - What can the tourism community do? ]]> “We have only six years left to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals. A stronger concerted effort is needed from all sectors of activity and in all countries to make this happen”, said UNWTO Secretary-General ad interim, Taleb Rifai, in an official message to the Members of the Organization. UNWTO underscores the importance of raising awareness and calling for action in support of the MDGs, aimed at reducing extreme poverty and fostering sustainable development.]]> <![CDATA[UNWTO and the SCBD sign MoU]]> Aiming to enhance cooperation between the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) and to raise public awareness of the inter-relationship between biodiversity and tourism, the two institutions today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, on the margins of the Third World Climate Conference in Geneva.]]> <![CDATA[5th Tourism Leadership Forum ]]> To mark the fifth anniversary of the TOURISM LEADERSHIP FORUMS held by EXCELTUR every two years, we are pleased to announce that, as a result of the recent agreement between the UNWTO and EXCELTUR «Alianza para la Excelencia Turística», the next forum on the eve of FITUR 2010 will be co-organized by both institutions with the special participation of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), an organization similar to EXCELTUR that comprises the presidents and chairs of one hundred of the world’s foremost tourism companies.]]> <![CDATA[Tourism and the world economy]]> International tourism receipts represented in 2003 approximately 6 per cent of worldwide exports of goods and services (as expressed in US$). When considering service exports exclusively, the share of tourism exports increases to nearly 30 per cent.]]> <![CDATA[Historical perspective of world tourism]]> The substantial growth of the tourism activity clearly marks tourism as one of the most remarkable economic and social phenomena of the past century. The number of international arrivals shows an evolution from a mere 25 million international arrivals in 1950 to an estimated 806 million in 2005, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 6.5%]]> <![CDATA[Tourism 2020 Vision]]> Tourism 2020 Vision is the World Tourism Organization's long-term forecast and assessment of the development of tourism up to the first 20 years of the new millennium. An essential outcome of the Tourism 2020 Vision are quantitative forecasts covering a 25 years period, with 1995 as the base year and forecasts for 2010 and 2020.]]> <![CDATA[50th Meeting of the WTO Commission for the Americas]]> 50th Meeting of the WTO Commission for the Americas Astana, Kazajstan, 2 October 2009]]> <![CDATA[Forty-ninth Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa]]> <![CDATA[UNWTO Statistics Capacity Building Programme - 2008-2009, III Workshop and Regional Seminar on Tourism Statistics]]> <![CDATA[ANOTHER RECORD YEAR FOR WORLD TOURISM]]> Madrid, 29 January 2007 – With 842 million arrivals and a 4.5% growth rate, 2006 exceeded expectations as the tourism sector continued to enjoy above average results, making it a new record year for the industry. The latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer figures suggest that 2007 will consolidate this performance and turn into the fourth year of sustained growth. ]]> <![CDATA[2007 to be fourth year of sustained growth - UNWTO]]> The short term outlook remains very positive, especially against the background of a strong world economy and as favourable exchange rates continue to encourage European and Asian travellers. International tourism is likely to remain buoyant unless major incidents occur.]]> <![CDATA[International tourism up 4.5% in the first four months of 2006]]> MADRID, SPAIN / QUITO, ECUADOR 28 June 2006 – Preliminary results for the first four months of 2006 point to some 236 million international tourist arrivals worldwide, or 10 million more than in the same period of 2005, reflecting the sustained growth in global tourism demand started in 2004. These are the findings based on the data gathered by the United Nations specialised agency, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), for January through April 2006, as presented in the latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.]]> <![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL TOURISM UP BY 5.5% TO 808 MILLION ARRIVALS IN 2005]]> MADRID, 24 January 2006– In 2005 international tourism sustained the sharp upturn that began in 2004 in spite of the various tragic events it had to contend. According to preliminary results presented today by the United Nations specialized agency, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) the number of international tourist arrivals recorded worldwide grew by 5.5% and exceeded 800 million for the first time ever.

]]> <![CDATA[Asian destinations on the rise in world tourism ranking]]> Madrid, 19 May 2005 - The latest data on international tourist arrivals to the various destinations in the world collected by the World Tourism Organization showed significant changes in the table of the world's top tourism destinations in 2004. As a result of the strong rebound experienced last year, Asian destinations significantly strengthened their position in the ranking. Although the order of the three main world tourism destinations remained unchanged with France as unchallenged leader, major developments in 2004 included China taking over Italy's traditional position as the world's fourth most visited destination, and the entry of Hong Kong (China) among the top ten tourism destinations.

]]> <![CDATA[International tourism obtains its best results in 20 years ]]> Bangkok, Thailand, 2 February 2005 - After three years of stagnant growth, international tourism experienced a spectacular rebound in 2004. According to WTO World Tourism Barometer, presented to the media at a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand, international tourist arrivals reached an all-time record of 760 million - an increase of 10% over 2003.

]]> <![CDATA[2004 to close with 70 million more international arrivals]]> London, United Kingdom, 8 November 2004 - With still a couple of months to go, it is already clear that 2004 will go into history as a very strong year for tourism. WTO Deputy Secretary General Dr. Dawid de Villiers said today at the World Travel Market that according to an initial projection, the number of international tourist arrivals is heading for a new all-time record, as growth for the entire year is estimated to reach around 10%.

]]> <![CDATA[Tourism is on the rise again, says World Tourism Organization]]> Madrid, 25 June 2004 – Short-term tourism data for the first months of 2004 confirm the upward trend already visible at the end of 2003. With the cease of the major geopolitical tensions, and in spite of uncertainty constant all over the world as proven by the recent terrorist attacks, signs are that travel confidence is back.

]]> <![CDATA[Global troubles took toll on tourism in 2003, growth to resume in 2004]]> Madrid, 27 January 2004 - Battered by a series of problems, international tourism arrivals fell 1,2 per cent in 2003, the biggest annual drop ever. However, the outlook for this year is much brighter, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) announced at a news conference on Tuesday. ]]> <![CDATA[UNWTO World Tourism Barometer rising, Iraq and SARS influences not yet overcome]]> Madrid, 29 October 2003 - International tourism results generally have improved over the past four months. But while many destinations are showing clear signs of a revival of demand, it will still take some time to overcome the damage caused by the Iraqi conflict and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), explains the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.]]> <![CDATA[First UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows steadily improving conditions for international tourism]]> Initial data for 2003 clearly show the effects of the Iraq conflict and the SARS outbreak. Nevertheless, various destinations managed to post surprisingly good results, in particular, some of the recently most-afflicted destinations in the Caribbean, South America, and South Asia. With the uncertainty due to the geopolitical situation gradually falling away, the perspective is switching back towards economic prospects. ]]> <![CDATA[UNWTO: Increasing Confidence in 2010 Recovery for the Tourism Sector ]]> The conditions of the tourism market are starting to indicate stronger prospects for a recovery in 2010. These include macroeconomic upward revisions from the IMF together with preliminary international tourism figures until August this year. This suggests some moderation in the declining results of the first half of this year. In addition, the UNWTO Panel of Experts Confidence Index reflects stronger confidence in market conditions. International arrivals declined by 4% in July this year, a relative improvement when compared to decreases of 10% in May and 7% in June. Many destinations show a similar pattern of a gradual change for the better, particularly in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.]]> <![CDATA[Testing Times for International Tourism ]]> According to the June edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer international tourism declined by 8% between January and April compared to the same period last year. Destinations worldwide recorded a total of 247 million international tourist arrivals in those four months, down from 269 million in 2008. Given the changes in the outlook UNWTO has revised its forecast for the full year 2009. Taking account of the results for the first four months of the year and the current market conditions, international tourism is now forecast to decrease by between -6% and -4% in 2009, as the pace of decline is expected to ease during the remainder of 2009.]]> <![CDATA[World Tourism in the Face of the Global Economic Crisis ]]> International tourism demand has deteriorated further due to the impact of the global economic recession. International tourist arrivals declined at a rate of 8% between January and February this year, leaving the overall volume at the same level as recorded in 2007. At the same time, influenza A(H1N1) is starting to affect the sector. Its impact is being closely monitored by UNWTO in close collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). UNWTO follows the WHO’s advice as it is the leading UN agency in matters relating to health. WHO does not recommend travel restrictions at this point.]]> <![CDATA[International Tourism Challenged by Deteriorating World Economy ]]>
  • In 2008, international tourist arrivals reached 924 million, up 16 million over 2007, representing a growth of 2%.
  • Tourism demand slowed significantly through the year under the influence of an extremely volatile world economy (financial crisis, commodity and oil price rises, sharp exchange rate fluctuations), undermining both consumer and business confidence and resulting in the current global economic recession.
  • The second half of 2008 saw growth come to a standstill with the number of international arrivals declining slightly – a trend which is expected to continue in 2009.
]]> <![CDATA[World Tourism Exceeds Expectations in 2007 - Arrivals Grow From 800 Million to 900 Million in Two Years ]]>
World Tourism Exceeds Expectations in 2007 - Arrivals Grow From 800 Million to 900 Million in Two Years
Madrid 29 January 2008
  • +6% growth rate
  • 52 million more international arrivals than in 2006
  • Prospects for 2008 overall positive
]]>