CONTENTS SHOW HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERS SHOW REGIONS ABU DHABI PARTICIPATING EXHIBITORS SOUTH AFRICA I SUB-SAHARA AFRICA I INTERNATIONAL I TRAVEL TECH SHOW I AROUND THE SHOW & RESPOSIBLE TOURISM
INTERNATIONAL Going global
Enter the International region at WTM Africa and discover a wide range of exhibitors from around the world, including global hotel brands, cruise lines, car-hire companies, convention and tourist boards as well as other travel industry representatives from around the globe.
Despite the challenges of global travel, international tourist arrivals grew by 4.4% in 2015 to reach a total of 1,184 million in 2015, according to the latest United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer. Year-on-year 50 million more overnight visitors travelled to international destinations around the world last year as
compared to 2014.
2015 marks the sixth consecutive year of above-average growth, with international arrivals increasing by 4% or more every year since the post-crisis year of 2010. UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai said:
“International tourism reached new heights in 2015.”
He added: “The robust performance of the sector is contributing to economic growth and job creation in many parts of the world. It is thus critical for countries to promote policies that foster the continued growth of tourism, including travel facilitation, human resources development and sustainability.” Demand was strong overall, though with mixed results across individual destinations due to unusually strong exchange rate fluctuations, the drop in oil prices and other commodities which increased disposable income in importing countries but weakened demand in exporters, as well as increased safety and security concerns. 2015 results were influenced by exchange rates, oil prices and natural and manmade crises in many parts of the world, Rifai explained. He warned: “Tourism development greatly depends upon our collective capacity to promote safe, secure and seamless travel.
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“In this respect, UNWTO urges governments to include tourism administrations in their national security planning, structures and procedures, not only to ensure that the sector’s exposure to threats is minimised but also to maximise the sector’s ability to support security and facilitation, as seamless and safe travel can and should go hand in hand,” added Mr Rifai. UNWTO statistics for 2015 show growth in advanced economy destinations (+5%) exceeded that of emerging economies (+4%), boosted by the solid results of Europe (+5%). By region, Europe, the Americas and Asia and the Pacific all recorded around 5% growth in 2015. Arrivals to the Middle East increased by 3% while in Africa, limited data available points to an estimated 3% decrease, mostly due to weak results in North Africa, which accounts for over one third of arrivals in the region. New airlines are taking on the existing carriers, both on an international and domestic level, bringing opportunities for destinations to open up lesser-known regions through increased connectivity. New competitors are invigorating the industry, forcing all players to be more competitive in terms of service and ticket fares, which can only benefit the travelling public.
POSITIVE PROSPECTS FOR 2016 Results from the UNWTO Confidence Index remain largely positive for 2016, though at a slightly lower level as compared to the previous two years. Based on the current trend and this outlook, UNWTO projects international tourist arrivals to grow by 4% worldwide in 2016. By region, growth is expected to be stronger in Asia and the Pacific (+4% to +5%) and the Americas (+4% to +5%), followed by Europe (+3.5% to +4.5%). The projections for Africa (+2% to 5%) and the Middle East (+2% to +5%) are positive, though with a larger degree of uncertainty and volatility.
2015 TRAVEL STATISTICS BY REGION • Europe (+5%) led growth in absolute and relative terms supported by a weaker euro vis-à-vis the US dollar and other main currencies. Arrivals reached 609 million, or 29 million more than in 2014.
• Asia and the Pacific (+5%) recorded 13 million more international tourist arrivals last year to reach 277 million, with uneven results across destinations.
wtmafrica.com WORLDWIDE TRAVEL TRENDS
• Euromonitor International research suggests economic growth across the globe continues to be uncertain, with rising geopolitical unrest, a potential US interest rate rise, oil price volatility and the Eurozone crisis all cause for concern.
• The normally strong Chinese economy has also struggled recently, facing sharp stock market falls in late summer 2015, giving rise to concerns about a hard landing.
• Geopolitical events are further impacting economic performance, with conflicts affecting certain destinations in the Middle East and North Africa, Russia and Ukraine.
• Expenditure is rising, with the Asia Pacific region predicted to see the fastest growth in inbound expenditure over the next five years.
• The mobile booking channel has finally reached the mainstream, accounting for some US$96 billion of travel sales globally in 2014.
• International tourist arrivals in the Americas (+5%) grew 9 million to reach 191 million, consolidating the strong results of 2014. The appreciation of the US dollar stimulated outbound travel from the United States, benefiting the Caribbean and Central America, both recording 7% growth.
• International tourist arrivals in the Middle East grew by an estimated 3% to a total of 54 million, consolidating the recovery initiated in 2014.
• Limited available data for Africa points to a 3% decrease in international arrivals, reaching a total of 53 million.
• Expenditure from the previously very dynamic source markets of the Russian Federation and Brazil declined significantly, reflecting the economic constraints in both countries and the depreciation of the rouble and the real against virtually all other currencies.
Source: UNWTO SHARE
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