WORLD
In 2012 is expected to reach one billion tourists
Baku, January 10 (AZERTAC). Thousand millions of tourists. The resounding figure never reached and will come this 2012 just start. It is at least the forecast of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), before achieving the 980 million in 2011. The number of international tourists in the world increased by 4% in 2011 on the previous year to 980 million. According to the Secretary general of the World Tourism Organization, Taleb Rifai, the figure indicates that this year will reach the figure of one billion.
Rifai has set 2011 as “a good year” tourist, despite the difficulties and challenges that have faced virtually all economic sectors in the world, especially in Europe and North America. The WTO hopes that, despite a new economic downturn, especially in Europe, consolidate this year the results of the past two years, with an advance over 3%, which will mean a rise of 7% on 2010.Europa because he has given a big surprise in 2011 surpassing all expectations, and even countries with problems such as Greece, IrelandPortugal or Spain progress of 14%, from 13 per cent, 10 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively. This, according to the WTO is not just to the shift of tourists from North Africa by Arab spring. According to Rifai, has been one minor factor, as five million “rendered” tourists do not represent a significant volume in comparison with the recipient of the set of destinations in the Mediterranean region, which is where outflows from Tunisia and Egypt have been distributed.
Given the results achieved in Europe, are ruled out changes in the world of destinations ranking - where Spain occupies the fourth place- but they hint at possible movements, although not very important, in the list of main markets issuing in the hands of China, Russia and Brasil.En concerning Spain, tourism revenue repuntaron in 2011 even more arrivalswhich becomes the sector one of the most important in terms of economic growth and job creation. This year, Spain hosts for the first time since a long time ago the holding of the world tourism day (September 27, 2012).