Background
The top headlines of 2014 painted a challenging landscape. From sluggish economic growth and Africa – to all appearances, such circumstances were hardly favorable for tourism.
Yet in spite of the many challenges the world faced in 2014, international tourism continued to propel ahead.
At the year´s close, the number of tourists travelling internationally grew by 4.4%, reaching a new milestone
increase since the global economic crisis of 2009. Once again, these results have surpassed UNWTO´s longterm
projection of 3.8% growth for the period 2010 to 2020, well on track to reach the projected 1.8 billion
international tourists by the year 2030.
Yet in spite of the many challenges the world faced in 2014, international tourism continued to propel ahead.
At the year´s close, the number of tourists travelling internationally grew by 4.4%, reaching a new milestone
increase since the global economic crisis of 2009. Once again, these results have surpassed UNWTO´s longterm
projection of 3.8% growth for the period 2010 to 2020, well on track to reach the projected 1.8 billion
international tourists by the year 2030.