How much money do tourists spend in each country?
Growth in international tourist arrivals and receipts continues to outpace the world economy and both emerging and advanced economies are benefiting from rising tourism income. For the seventh year in a row, tourism exports grew faster than merchandise exports, reducing trade deficits in many countries. How much money do tourists spend
With such growth comes more responsibility in ensuring effective destination management that minimizes any adverse effect of tourism. Managing tourism in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all is more critical than ever. We need to grow more in value rather than just in volume. Digitalization, innovation, greater accessibility and societal changes are expected to continue shaping our sector. Both destinations and companies will need to adapt to remain competitive, while at the same time embracing tourism as a means of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and building a better future for all.
So… how much money do tourists spend?
According to the UNWTO, the biggest spenders going to another country are tourists from China. In 2019 they spent US$277 billion.
Next came Americans, who spent US$144 billion.
No. 3 were tourists from Germany, US$94 billion
No.4 were tourists from the United Kingdom, US$76 billion
No. 5 were from France, US$48 billion
No. 6 were Australians, US$37 billion
No. 7 were tourists from the Russian Federation, US$36 billion
No. 8 were tourists from Canada, US$33 billion
No. 9 were from the Republic of Korea, US$32 billion
No. 10 were from Italy, US$30 billion.
Europe
Southern Mediterranean destinations led growth
Southern and Mediterranean Europe led results, with most destinations enjoying
double-digit growth. Among the larger destinations, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Croatia
saw robust performance. Turkey continued its strong recovery, backed by a favourable
exchange rate. After several years of remarkable growth in volume, Spain, the subregion’s
largest destination, showed solid growth in tourism earnings in 2018.
Africa
Robust performance in North Africa
Growth was led by North Africa, as Tunisia continued to consolidate recovery thanks to
the lifting of negative travel advice and an increase in visitor flows from European source
markets. Morocco, the subregion’s largest destination, grew at a robust rate.
• In Subsaharan Africa, island destinations Reunion, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Mauritius
and Seychelles posted robust growth. Kenya recorded positive results, thanks to improved security and more air connectivity, as well as Togo, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire and
Zimbabwe. The subregion’s most visited destination South Africa reported moderate
growth, partly due to a strong currency and a drought crisis in Cape Town in 2018
Asia and the Pacific
Fastest-growing region in 2018
Growing purchasing power, increased air connectivity and enhanced visa facilitation
continued to boost travel within and outside the region.
• Results were driven by South Asia, with double-digit growth in Iran, Nepal, Sri Lanka and
the subregion’s largest destination India.
• Growth in North-East Asia, the largest subregion in Asia, was solid overall. The Republic
of Korea, which successfully hosted the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, rebounded
strongly and led results.
The Middle East
Results reflect continued rebound in some destinations
Egypt continued to enjoy solid rebound with double-digit growth in arrivals and receipts,
thanks to an increase in visitors from Germany, Italy and other European source markets.
Jordan and Lebanon also performed well in 2018.
• Results in Saudi Arabia, the largest destination in the region, were comparatively slower,
as well as in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), host of the 2020 Expo Dubai.
• Qatar started to recover in the second half of the year from the diplomatic crisis thanks
to visa facilitation, investments and marketing in a number of source markets. Qatar has
become the most visa open country in the Middle East
The Americas
Mixed results across destinations
North America (two-third of total arrivals in the region), led growth, with continued solid
performance from Mexico and positive results from the United States.
• Following a strong 2017, South America posted mixed results with continued strong
results in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, while a decline from major outbound market
Argentina affected some neighbouring destinations. Conversely, a weaker Argentinean peso contributed to growth in Argentina
Outbound tourism
France, the Russian Federation and Australia showed the highest growth in spending
Europe accounts for almost 1 in 2 trips in the world
Visiting London? Do not miss:
You can read the whole UNWTO report, “UNWTO International Tourism Highlights, 2019” online.
