Despite the ebola virus outbreak in parts of the sub-Saharan African region, the continent’s international tourist numbers grew by three percent in recovery consolidated in North Africa (+4 per cent).
This is contained in the latest United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer, released for the first half of the year 2014.
The UNWTO, a United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism said in a media release that international tourist arrivals generally also grew by 4.6 percent in the first six months of 2014 according to the report.
“These results show that tourism is consolidating the positive performance of recent years, providing development and economic opportunities worldwide,” Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism organization was quoted in the press release.
“Indeed, despite geopolitical and economic challenges, the number of international tourist arrivals has grown by five percent a year on average since 2010, a trend that has translated into more economic growth, more exports and more jobs.”
The UNWTO World Tourism Barometer is a regular publication of the Tourism Trends and Marketing Strategies Programme of UNWTO aimed at monitoring the short-term evolution of tourism and providing the sector with relevant and timely information.
The organization however, expressed fears that the current Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa might affect tourism to the region due to misperceptions about the transmission of the virus.
“The main focus at the moment is on taking and supporting action to contain the virus,” Taleb Rifai was quoted.
“But we must also ensure that mis-perceptions do not unnecessarily harm the African economy, in particular its travel and tourism sector, which is a central activity in many countries,”
“We would like to stress that the World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend any ban on international travel. Putting a halt on flights or imposing unnecessary travel restrictions will not help contain the virus,”
“On the contrary, these measures will surely dampen the economy of the region, especially its travel and tourism sector, and jeopardize millions of livelihoods.”
“Indeed, despite geopolitical and economic challenges, the number of international tourist arrivals has grown by five percent a year on average since 2010, a trend that has translated into more economic growth, more exports and more jobs.”
According to the data destinations worldwide received about 517 million international tourists between January to June 2014, up from 22 million in the same period of 2013.
The report says growth was strongest in the America (+6%) followed by Asia and the Pacific and Europe (both at +5%). By subregion, South Asia and Northern Europe (both +8%) were the best performers, together with North-East Asia and Southern Mediterranean Europe (both +7%).
UNWTO expects the international tourist arrivals will increase by four percent to 4.5 percent worldwide in the end of 2014, above UNWTO’s long-term forecast of 3.8 percent per year for the period of 2010 to 2020.
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