In 2009, international tourist arrivals for business, leisure and other purposes declined worldwide by 4% to 880 million, with earnings receipts estimated to have decreased by around 6%. The results for 2009 are better than previsouly forecasted because of a 2% upswing in the last quarter.
The world’s travel industry is also in much better shape than overall exports worldwide in 2009, which dropped by 12%. The upward trend for the last quarter of 2009 is also visible in the air transport data from IATA. According to IATA, passenger traffic has been positive since September 2009 after a year of declines.
Meanwhile, global airline capacity measured in available seats shows positive growth for the fifth consecutive month in January 2010, according to OAG.
The UNWTO report adds that another factor brightening up 2010 is the roster of events lined up to attract potential visitors – from the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in February to the FIFA Football World Cup in June in South Africa and the Shanghai World Expo from May through October.
The UNWTO warns that inspite of the predicted recovery, the situation on the jobs front is still dire. It also says that most of the uptick will come in Asia, while economies in Europe and the USA still remain fragile, and household and company budgets could suffer from the withdrawal of stimulus measures and from potential increases in taxation as results of growing public deficits.
Oil prices are expected to remain volatile through 2010 and security threats as well as the potential of increased related hassle and costs for travellers are still a challenge.
