World video travel guide

NewsMadridSpain • 2014-12-18

Select the country and object's type International tourism on track to end 2014 with record numbers

International tourism is set to hit a new record by the end of 2014 with over 1.1 billion international tourists travelling the world in one single year. During the first ten months of 2014, the number of international tourists grew by 5% according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, rising above expectations.

Between January and October 2014, the volume of international tourists (overnight visitors) reached 978 million, 45 million more than in the same period of 2013. With an increase of 4.7%, international tourism continues to grow well above the long-term trend projected by UNWTO for the period 2010-2020 (+3.8%), and is set to end the year at over 1.1 billion.

By region, the strongest growth was registered in the Americas (+8%), followed by Asia and the Pacific (+5%) and Europe (+4%). By subregion, North America (+9%) and South Asia (+8%) were the star performers, as well as Southern and Mediterranean Europe, North-East Asia and Northern Europe (all +7%).

“In view of this trend, international tourism is set to end 2014 with record numbers”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “These are remarkable results considering that different parts of the world continue to face significant geopolitical and health challenges, while the global economic recovery remains rather fragile and uneven”, he added.

“More importantly, we see a growing political commitment to the tourism sector in many countries. This is encouraging, not in the least because tourism is one of the sectors that is best able to deliver on employment at a moment when job creation need to be a priority to all”, he added.

The Americas: the best results of the last decade

The Americas (+8%) led growth during the first ten months of 2014, rebounding significantly on last year\'s subdued results. This is the region’s best performance since 2004, when international tourism also rebounded strongly, following the 2003 SARS outbreak. All subregions – North America, the Caribbean, Central America and South America –doubled the growth rates of 2013, with particularly positive results in North America in view of the extraordinary performance of Mexico and the United States.

International arrivals in Asia and the Pacific increased by 5% (through October), consolidating the region’s growth trend of recent years. The best results came from South Asia (+8%), led by India (+7%), and from North-East Asia (+7%) where major destinations such as Japan and the Republic of Korea registered double-digit growth. Arrivals in Oceania grew by 6% owing mostly to the increase of arrivals in Australia and New Zealand. In South-East Asia (+2%), growth slowed down compared to 2012 and 2013 as a result of the decline in arrivals registered in Thailand.

Europe, the most visited region in the world, posted a 4% increase in international tourist arrivals through October, with strong results in Northern Europe and in Southern Mediterranean Europe (both +7%), where established destinations such as Greece, Portugal, Spain and Malta recorded robust growth. International tourism grew at a more modest pace in Western Europe (+2%) and was stagnant in Central and Eastern Europe (0%), in stark contrast with the last three years, during which arrivals grew at an average of 8% a year.

International tourist arrivals in the Middle East are estimated to be up by 4% (in the first ten months of 2014), rebounding on the declines registered since 2011. All destinations in the region with data available report positive growth, with Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia all substantially improving their performance as compared to 2013.

Africa’s international tourist numbers grew by 3% (through October) with North Africa consolidating its recovery (+2%). Subsaharan Africa’s arrivals were up by 3% despite the challenges of the Ebola Disease Outbreak in a few West African countries. Data for Africa and the Middle East, nonetheless, should be read with caution as it is based on limited and volatile data for these regions.

UNWTO will release preliminary 2014 full year results for international tourist arrivals by 27 January 2015.

RSS RSS All news

 

Related objects

Spain

World Countries Spain

The country is the home of the prospering capital Madrid, the vibrant coastal city of Barcelona and the city where flamenco was born, Sevilla.

Segovia

Cities Segovia

Each epoch - a dominion of the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, Catholic kings - left an imprint in Segovia: Romanesque and Gothic churches, fortress walls, the unique historic centre

Almudena Cathedral

Temples, churches, pagodas, mosques Almudena Cathedral

The Almudena Cathedral is rather young for Europe: it was completed only in 1930-s. The church attracts visitors with its modern-Gothic interior

Atocha railway station

Transport: airports, railway stations, seaports Atocha railway station

Atocha is the major by size and by significance railway station in Madrid. There is a memorial of the victims of a terrorist attack of 2004

Buen Retiro Park

Parks and gardens Buen Retiro Park

The Buen Retiro Park (“Park of the Pleasant Retreat”) is a 1.4 km2 green area in the centre of Madrid. Its ponds and alleys are worth seeing

Calle de Alcalá

Streets Calle de Alcalá

Want to see the city from Puerta del Sol to its outskirts? Than just go down Calle de Alcalá – the longest street in Madrid (about 6.2 miles long)

Calle Mayor

Streets Calle Mayor

Calle Mayor (”The Main Street”) is the centre of Madrid’s social and commercial life. It starts at Puerta del Sol and finishes at Cuesta de la Vega

Casa Botin, restaurant

World Culinary Casa Botin, restaurant

Casa Botin, established in 1725, is the oldest restaurant in the world. It’s best dishes are a roast lamb (cordero) and a suckling pig (cochinillo)

Casa de la Villa

Architecture: buildings, structures Casa de la Villa

The Casa de la Villa, a beautiful building in the historic centre of Madrid constructed in 1645- 1696, was used as a Town Hall until 2007

El Escorial

Palaces El Escorial

San Lorenzo de El Escorial, 49 Km from Madrid by road, is one of the former royal residences which was built in there by King Felipe II

El Rastro de Madrid, Flea market

Shopping: shops, markets El Rastro de Madrid, Flea market

If your visit to Madrid includes a Sunday or other holiday, then don’t miss a chance to visit El Rastro de Madrid – the most popular local flea market

Madrid, architectonics

Architecture: buildings, structures Madrid, architectonics

Madrid’s architecture has never been among European trends. It just reflected preferences of the most powerful royal families: Hapsburgs, Bourbons etc

Madrid, Night life

Events, Shows, amusement Madrid, Night life

Madrid, unlike the majority of European cities, has lots of bars, clubs and discos and a very busy night life: its rhythm slows down only at 4-6 am.

Mercado de San Miguel

Shopping: shops, markets Mercado de San Miguel

The Mercado de San Miguel opened in 1916. Little has changed: the best of the best delicacies still can be bought here from 10:00 to 22:00 every day

Museo del Prado

Museums, historical monuments Museo del Prado

Museo-del-Prado posesses an internationally recognized collection of masterpieces by Spanish, Itallian, Flemish and other European artists.

Museo Reina Sofía

Museums, historical monuments Museo Reina Sofía

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Paella

World Culinary Paella

Paella in Spain is the same thing as pizza in Italy. The best Madrid’s restaurants to taste paella are “La Barraca” and “La paella de la reina”.

Palacio de Cristal

Palaces Palacio de Cristal

The Palacio de Cristal, a 22 meter-high glass greenhouse, was constructed in 1887. It is supported only by a brick base and a metal framework

Palacio Real de Madrid

Palaces Palacio Real de Madrid

The Baroque Palacio Real de Madrid, alternatively called the "Palacio de Oriente" (The Orient Palace), is the official royal family residence

Paseo del Prado

Streets Paseo del Prado

The Paseo del Prado is full of landmarks: Golden Triangle of Art, Madrid's stock exchange Bolsa de Madrid and the National congress building.

Plaza de Oriente

Town squares Plaza de Oriente

The Plaza de Oriente, located on the east of the Royal Palace, houses monuments of twenty Spain's monarchs and the equestrian statue of Philip IV

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

Events, Shows, amusement Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is the most famous bullfighting arena in Spain. Bulls and men fight there every day 10 months a year (Mar to Dec).

Plaza Mayor

Town squares Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor had undergone 3 reconstructions in 1631, 1672 and 1790 before it got the present gorgeous look designed by Juan de Villanueva

Puerta del Sol

Town squares Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is Madrid’s central square. There you can find the zero km point and “El Oso y El Madroño” statue – the symbol of the city

Royal Armoury

Museums, historical monuments Royal Armoury

The Royal Armoury, a part of the Royal Palace of Madrid, houses an enormous collection of weapons and armor suits of kings and the royal family.

Royal Pharmacy

Museums, historical monuments  
Royal Pharmacy

Sabatini Gardens

Parks and gardens  
Sabatini Gardens

San Nicolas de los Servitas Church

Temples, churches, pagodas, mosques San Nicolas de los Servitas Church

Construction of the tower of the San Nicolás de los Servitas Church dates back to XII century. It’s one of the most ancient buildings in Madrid

Segovia, architectonics

Architecture: buildings, structures Segovia, architectonics

Segovia is famous not only for a fantastic number of Romanesque churches, but also for the Alcázar Castle, depicted on the Walt Disney logo