Global tourism surge bypasses Australia
Australia is one of the few regions to have missed out on a surge in international tourism, a report shows.
International tourism grew by five per cent in the first eight months of 2013, a better-than-expected growth driven mostly by strong results in Europe and Asia, the World Tourism Organisation’s latest report says.
The organisation said emerging economies were driving international spending in the tourism industry.
“China posted an extraordinary 31 per cent increase in spending, while the Russian Federation (up 28 per cent) and Brazil (up 15 per cent) likewise saw a sound increase during the period.”
Canada, the UK, France, the US and Germany saw spending slow, while expenditure declined in Japan, Australia and Italy.
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International tourist arrivals reached 747 million worldwide between January and August, some 38 million more than in the same period last year, the UNWTO said in a statement.
“While global economic growth is in low gear, international tourism continues to produce above-average results in most world regions, offering vital opportunities for employment and local economies,” said UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai at the opening of the European Tourism Forum in Vilnius.
“This is particularly important for Europe, where unemployment is a major concern in many destinations and where the tourism sector has been a source of job growth in the last decade.”
Europe benefited the most with an estimated 20 million more arrivals in the region, with Eastern Europe experiencing a seven-per cent increase in visitors and the south and Mediterranean also performing well.
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South-East Asia saw a 12 per cent increase in tourists, continuing to boost growth in the Asia-Pacific region, which welcomed an additional 10 million visitors over the period.
The Americas reported comparatively weaker results, with a three-per cent increase in tourist arrivals and four per cent for North America.
Africa, boosted by recovery in North Africa, received two million extra arrivals, while in the Middle East arrivals rebounded by seven per cent after two years of decline.
In a separate report, Sydney airport appears to have avoided any downturn.
Chinese and Indian visitors are arriving at Sydney Airport in greater numbers, with double digit passenger growth from both locations in the past year.
The number of visitors from mainland China arriving at Sydney airport was up 28 per cent in September, compared to the same time last year, while the number of arrivals from India was up 18 per cent.
The total number of international passengers was up 3.7 per cent on the same time last year, with 1.08 million passing through the airport.
Domestic passenger growth was virtually flat, at 2.11 million.
Sydney Airport Chief executive Kerrie Mather said there had been double digit growth from six Asian nations, including Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia.
“Our international result this month was driven primarily by an increase in seat capacity and ongoing strong growth from our key Asian markets,” he said.
So far this year, 27.8 million people have passed through Sydney Airport, an increase of 2.8 per cent on the same period last year.
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