TOURISM INDIA MARCH 2019 Tourism India January 2019 IA | Page 10

N E W S / I N T E R NAT I O NA L
INTERNATIONAL
TOURIST ARRIVALS
REACH 1.4 BILLION
TWO YEARS AHEAD
OF FORECASTS
FOR 2019, UNWTO FORECASTS
A 3-4% INCREASE
8
Tourism India January 2019
T
he latest UNWTO World Tourism
Barometer marks International tourist
arrivals increased 6% to 1.4 billion in
2018. In relative terms, the Middle East (+10%),
Africa (+7%), Asia and the Pacific and Europe
(both at +6%) led growth in 2018. Arrivals to the
Americas were below the world average (+3%).
“The growth of tourism in recent years confirms
that the sector is today one of the most powerful
drivers of economic growth and development. It
is our responsibility to manage it in a sustainable
manner and translate this expansion into real
benefits for all countries, and particularly, to all
local communities, creating opportunities for
jobs and entrepreneurship and leaving no one
behind” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab
Pololikashvili. “This is why UNWTO is focussing