Daily Almanac for
Feb 10, 2012
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Tourism by World Region

Worldwide tourism experienced a 0.6% decrease in 2001, which is somewhat less than what was feared after Sept. 11, 2001. The Americas suffered the most (6.0% decrease), followed by South Asia (4.5%), and the Middle East (down 2.5%). Europe also experienced a slight decrease of 0.7%, but it remains the world's top tourism region.

 Arrivals
(in millions)
Percent
change
2000/2001
2001
market
share
20002001
World696.8692.6–0.6%100.0%
Africa27.228.44.34.1
Americas128.5120.8–6.017.4
East Asia and the Pacific109.2115.25.516.6
Europe402.5399.7–0.7%57.7%
Middle East23.222.7–2.53.3
South Asia6.15.8–4.50.8
Source: World Tourism Organization (WTO). Web: www.world-tourism.org .

Africa

Africa experienced a 4.6% increase in international tourism in 2001. South Africa remains the most important destination, despite suffering a 1.5% decrease in arrivals. The countries enjoying the biggest growth last year were Namibia, Tanzania, and Nigeria.

Region and countryArrivals
(in thousands)
Percent
change
2000/2001
2001
market
share
20002001
Africa27,22328,4054.3%100.0%
 South Africa6,0015,908–1.520.8
 Tunisia5,0575,3876.519.0
 Morocco4,1134,2232.714.9
 Zimbabwe1,866
 Botswana995
 Kenya899841–6.5%3.0%
 Algeria8669014.13.2
 Nigeria81395517.53.4
Source: World Tourism Organization (WTO). Web: www.world-tourism.org .

Americas

All of the Americas, excluding Central America, suffered declines in international tourism in 2001, especially the United States (10.7% decrease). The Caribbean countries did not repeat the success they had in 2000.

Region and countryArrivals
(in thousands)
Percent
change
2000/2001
2001
market
share
20002001
Americas128,497120,840–6.0%100.0%
 United States50,94545,490–10.737.6
 Mexico20,64119,811–4.016.4
 Canada19,66319,6970.216.3
 Brazil5,3134,773–10.23.9
 Puerto Rico3,3413,5516.3%2.9%
 Dominican
  Republic
2,9732,778–6.62.3
 Argentina2,9092,629–9.62.2
 Uruguay1,9681,892–3.91.6
Source: World Tourism Organization (WTO). Web: www.world-tourism.org .

Europe

Europe failed to repeat the record results posted in the Jubilee Year of 2000. But in relative terms, the decrease of 0.7% does not appear that bad. Southern and Eastern Europe are growing steadily, with Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia welcoming the return of market demand. Bulgaria was a success story in 2001, while Poland suffered a decline of 13.8%. The greatest decline was experienced by Israel, 50.5%, due to the Palestinian conflict.

Region and countryArrivals
(in thousands)
Percent
change
2000/2001
2001
market
share
20002001
Europe402,539399,711–0.7%100.0%
 France75,58076,5081.219.1
 Spain47,89849,5193.412.4
 Italy41,18139,055–5.29.8
 United Kingdom25,21122,833–9.4%5.7%
 Germany18,98317,861–5.94.5
 Poland17,40015,000–13.83.8
 Hungary15,57115,340–1.63.8
Source: World Tourism Organization (WTO). Web: www.world-tourism.org .

Middle East

On average, international arrivals were down 2.5% from the year before. The greatest success was experienced in Lebanon and Jordan, while Egypt suffered a decline of 14.8%.

Region and countryArrivals
(in thousands)
Percent
change
2000/2001
2001
market
share
20002001
Middle East23,23722,653–2.5%100.0%
 Egypt5,1164,357–14.819.2
 Jordan1,4271,4783.66.5
 Syria1,4161,318–6.9%5.8%
 Lebanon74283712.93.7
Source: World Tourism Organization (WTO). Web: www.world-tourism.org .

East Asia and the Pacific

In contrast to the Americas, East Asia and the Pacific continued with strong growth, as seen in 2001, averaging 5.5%. China, together with Hong Kong and Macau, is becoming the unrivaled leader of Asian tourism, followed by Malaysia and Thailand.

Region and countryArrivals
(in thousands)
Percent
change
2000/2001
2001
market
share
20002001
East Asia and
 the Pacific
109,171115,1565.5%100.0%
 China31,22933,1676.228.8
 Hong Kong (China)13,05913,7255.111.9
 Malaysia10,22212,77525.011.1
 Thailand9,57910,1335.8%8.8%
 Singapore6,9176,726–2.85.8
 Korea, Republic of5,3225,147–3.34.5
 Indonesia5,0845,1541.84.5
 Japan4,7574,7720.34.1
Source: World Tourism Organization (WTO). Web: www.world-tourism.org .

South Asia

South Asia felt the impact of the increased tension between India and Pakistan and the war in Afghanistan. Arrivals were down 4.5%, with Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka suffering the biggest declines.

Region and countryArrivals
(in thousands)
Percent
change
2000/2001
2001
market
share
20002001
South Asia6,0915,818–4.5%100.0%
 India2,6492,537–4.243.6
 Iran1,3421,4024.524.1
 Pakistan557500–10.28.6
 Maldives467461–1.3%7.9%
 Nepal464363–21.86.2
 Sri Lanka400337–15.95.8
Source: World Tourism Organization (WTO). Web: www.world-tourism.org .

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