Source: CNN
By Marnie Hunter
January 21, 2019
Last year was a very good year for international tourism, according to a new report from the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
In 2018, there were 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals, a figure the UNWTO didn’t expect global tourism to hit until 2020.
“The growth of tourism in recent years confirms that the sector is today one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth and development,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, in a statement.
A long-term forecast from the UNWTO in 2010 predicted 1.4 billion international arrivals by 2020. Reaching it two years ahead of forecast is due in part to stronger economic growth, greater visa facilitation and more affordable air travel, the report says.
