MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Tourism in South America reported strongest growth in Jan-April period
The Americas (+6%) led growth, followed by Europe, while by subregion South America and Oceania boasted the strongest increase (both +8%) 
“For national governments, it is a reminder that tourism can be part of the solution to foster socio-economic development and job creation”, said Rifai International tourism demand continued to be robust between January and April 2015 with tourist arrivals increasing 4% worldwide according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Almost all regions enjoyed strong growth with the Americas leading growth and by sub-region, Oceania and South America boasted the strongest increase (both +8%), followed by the Caribbean and Central and Eastern Europe (both +7%)
Destinations worldwide received some 332 million international tourists (overnight visitors) between January and April 2015, 14 million more than the same period last year, corresponding to an increase of 4%.
This result follows an increase of 4.3% in 2014 and consolidates the upwards trend of international tourism in recent years (+4.5% international tourist arrivals a year on average since 2010).
By region, the Americas (+6%) led growth, followed by Europe, Asia and the Pacific and the Middle East, all recording 4% to 5% more arrivals. By sub-region, Oceania and South America boasted the strongest increase (both +8%), followed by the Caribbean and Central and Eastern Europe (both +7%), the latter rebounding from last year’s decline. In Africa, demand weakened in 2014 after years of solid growth, affected mainly by the Ebola outbreak among other challenges.
“It is encouraging to see the tourism sector consolidating its excellent results despite security concerns and unrest in many parts of our world”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “This underscores that tourism is a surprisingly resilient economic sector which increasingly contributes to development in many countries around the globe. For national governments, it is a reminder that tourism can be part of the solution to foster socio-economic development and job creation”, he added.
In the Americas (+6%) all four sub-regions continued to enjoy significant growth in January-April 2015, led by South America (+8%) and the Caribbean (+7%). Strong outbound demand from the United States fuelled results as 20 million US tourists travelled abroad through April, 7% more than during the same period last year.
Asia and the Pacific (+4%) consolidated its growth of recent years, with Oceania (+8%) and North-East Asia (+5%) in the lead. South-East Asia (+3%) recorded moderate results this four-month period as the rebound in Thailand (+25%) was offset by declines in other destinations.
Europe, the world’s most visited region, enjoyed continued strength with international tourist arrivals growing by 5% through April. Arrivals in Central and Eastern Europe increased by 7%, rebounding on the poor results of 2014 following the conflict in Ukraine and the slowdown of the Russian economy. Southern Mediterranean Europe (+5%) maintained strong growth, though for many destinations these are low season months. Western Europe and Northern Europe both enjoyed a solid 4% increase in arrivals, partly due to good results in traditional winter sports destinations.
Likewise close to 500 million tourists are estimated to travel abroad between May and August 2015, the Northern Hemisphere holiday peak season, a total that accounts for some 41% of all international tourist arrivals registered in a year.
According to the latest results of the UNWTO Tourism Confidence Index, prospects for this period continue to be bullish and are the highest for this period since the pre-crisis year 2007. The sentiment is positive among all regions and areas of activity.
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Read all commentsTourism can be a good and a positive thing for both the host country and tourists but...
Jul 23rd, 2015 - 10:37 am 0Be aware of, that some ethnics groups can have uncivilised behaviours and can produce negative economy impact to the locals especially if they own big gardens, a piece of land not in use, etc.
Let's analyse in depth the squatter behaviour scam to avoid you the pain to lose your valuable property.
In the begining the pseudo tourist can approache you with a big smile, looking quite frienly waving a flag from his nation looking for some help to find a destination, meawhile he start to telling you wonderful stories and fantasy tales about how good his country is, how rich he is and how his nation had build an empire thanks to the rule of law, honesty, education system, sciences and so on...
Warning!!! you are close to be scamed
At this point you have to be alert and suspicious that something wrong is going on, especially for you...
Another clear indicator that will help you to detect the land grabber is the sheep that the guy usually holds under his arm.
Don't get confuse it is not his pet otherwise this poor aninal will be his future source of income after he seized your garden or land by the squater scam while waving his flag.
He may ask you permission to feed his pet (The sheep under his arm) with some grass from your garden.
Of course many people will be willing to do so but be aware that this could be the point of no return for your belongings..
He will keep friendly chatting with you for hours while he is mentally measuring your garden and calculating how much profit can get from it.
All goes fine until nature calls and you have to go inside to your house to use the toilette.
That's it you lost he won...
When you return you will find a union jack flag in your garden with a big sign on it reading “BOT human rights and self determination applies here I want to remain British”.
Well you have been advised...
Dany-what an idiot!
Jul 23rd, 2015 - 11:38 am 0Glad that you wrote all that garbage, it wasted your time.
1 Dany
Jul 23rd, 2015 - 02:38 pm 0“Tourism can be a good and a positive thing for both the host country and tourists but...
Be aware of, that some ethnics groups can have uncivilised behaviours and can produce negative economy impact to the locals”
exactly
spot on
some examples of that are:
1. the english...of course
worst tourists on earth.
“UK tourists 'among worst in the world'”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1552388/UK-tourists-among-worst-in-the-world.html
British 'world's worst tourists'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1552388/UK-tourists-among-worst-in-the-world.html
“Sun, sea and insults: are Britons really the world's worst tourists?”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1552388/UK-tourists-among-worst-in-the-world.html
and
2. the chilotes...of course
“How Chilean pickpockets are most effective in London: Undercover police reveal gangs from the country target wealthy tourists on capital's busiest streets
Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1552388/UK-tourists-among-worst-in-the-world.html
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”Street crime: Chilean gangs are the top pickpockets in London according to the Metropolitan Police”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1552388/UK-tourists-among-worst-in-the-world.html
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