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Harare - International tourist arrivals exceeded growth expectations during the first half of 2013, according to the United Nation's World Tourism Organisation.
Growth for the period was at 5% and above the projection of 3% to 4% made at the beginning of the year.
According to the Advance Edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer released recently, destinations around the world welcomed an estimated 494 million overnight visitors during the period under review.
This represents an additional 25 million international tourists compared to the same period of 2012.
Africa recorded growth of 4% due to the continued recovery of North Africa and the positive results of Sub-Saharan destinations.
“The fact that international tourism grew above expectations confirms that travelling is now part of consumer patterns for an increasing number of people in both emerging and advanced economies” said UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai.
“This underlines the need to rightly place tourism as one of the key pillars of socioeconomic development, being a leading contributor to economic growth, exports and jobs.”
The report by the UNWTO said tourism expenditure growth was driven by emerging economies like China 31% and Russia 22%.
Growth for the period was at 5% and above the projection of 3% to 4% made at the beginning of the year.
According to the Advance Edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer released recently, destinations around the world welcomed an estimated 494 million overnight visitors during the period under review.
This represents an additional 25 million international tourists compared to the same period of 2012.
Africa recorded growth of 4% due to the continued recovery of North Africa and the positive results of Sub-Saharan destinations.
“The fact that international tourism grew above expectations confirms that travelling is now part of consumer patterns for an increasing number of people in both emerging and advanced economies” said UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai.
“This underlines the need to rightly place tourism as one of the key pillars of socioeconomic development, being a leading contributor to economic growth, exports and jobs.”
The report by the UNWTO said tourism expenditure growth was driven by emerging economies like China 31% and Russia 22%.
