Results of regular research conducted by UNWTO (United Nations World Travel Organization) have shown the tourism industry is recovering quickly after the critical year 2009. One of the key indicators even exceeded its previous record.

Increase in tourist traffic

International tourist arrivals is a key indicator used by UNWTO to measure the performance of travel industry. Data from the first eight months of this year have been published in the latest World Tourism Barometer publication. The data show a record breaking number of 642 million worldwide tourist arrivals.

Compared to the same period last year, it is 40 million more. The record achieved in 2008 is exceeded by one million. UNWTO predicts the growth for the full year should be four to five percent. In 2011 they assume a slower rate of growth, about four percent.

The best months are clearly July and August. During the traditional holiday season on the Northern Hemisphere highest numbers were recorded. In July 2010 it was 112 million international arrivals and 108 million in August. These 220 million exceed the previous July-August record breaking period in 2008 by eight million.

Recovery led by developing economies

Although all world regions have seen positive turnover, there is one leading the way. Emerging economies grew at a substantial rate of eight percent while the western world did only five. These numbers were presented by UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai, who stated that tourism is now the key driver of post-crisis recovery.

Source: UNWTO World Tourism Barometer