International Tourism Receipts Grew by 36 Billion Euros In 2004

International tourism receipts in 2004 reached a new record value of US $622 billion as expressed in absolute figures. According to the latest edition of the WTO World Tourism Barometer, worldwide tourism earnings grew by an extraordinary 10.3 per cent, a rate practically equal to that of international tourist arrivals which increased last year by 10.7 per cent.

Europe earned a bit over half of worldwide tourism receipts (52 per cent), the Americas 21 per cent, Asia and the Pacific 20 per cent and Africa and the Middle East three per cent each. All regions posted positive results in 2004, ranging from two per cent for Europe to 24 per cent for Asia and the Pacific.

International tourism receipts grew by an exceptional 24 per cent in Asia and the Pacific, following the nine per cent loss after SARS in 2003. The fastest growing sub-region was North-East Asia (plus 30 per cent). Growth was also particular buoyant in the Middle East (plus 22 per cent) while Africa posted a more modest growth (plus six per cent), constrained by the results of Sub-Saharan Africa of four per cent after having been the star performer of the past three years.