International Tourism Highlights, 2020 Edition

Abstract

2019 was another year of strong growth, though international arrivals grew below the exceptional rates seen in 2017 (+7%) and 2018 (+6%). Demand was somewhat weaker for travel to advanced economy destinations in different regions. Uncertainty surrounding Brexit, geopolitical and trade tensions, and the global economic slowdown, weighed on growth. 2019 was also the year of major shifts in the sector with the collapse of travel group Thomas Cook and several low-cost airlines in Europe. All regions enjoyed an increase in arrivals in 2019, led by the Middle East (+8%). Asia and the Pacific and Europe both saw 4% growth. Against a backdrop of global economic slowdown, tourism spending continued to grow, most notably among the world’s top ten spenders. France reported the strongest increase in international tourism expenditure among the world’s top ten outbound markets (+11%), while the United States of America led growth in absolute terms (+USD 8 billion).