Global tourism affected by economic slowdown

For the past three years, the number of tourist arrivals internationally has risen by an average of seven per cent per year, but according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the number will most likely be only two per cent for 2008.

Long-haul travel is being hit hardest by the financial crisis, according to the UNWTO report, as insecurity about jobs and increased airfares deter travellers from spending their money on expensive holidays.

And, according to the organisation’s predictions, next year will be worse. Its data show that the slowdown in tourist arrivals since June has been particularly notable.

For the period of January to April this year, arrival numbers increased by 5.7 per cent over the same period in 2007, finally reaching seven per cent in May. In June, the numbers fell to show growth of less than two per cent, and only one per cent in July and August – normally peak travel months.

UNWTO figures seem to be contrary to the claims of many travel operators in the UK, who maintain that the annual summer holiday is one of the last items that British consumers cut from their spending.

www.unwto.org