Tourism On the Rise Despite Economic Woes
The Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) says that world tourism is demonstrating robust growth, despite persistent economic sluggishness.
The finding was reported in the organization's study "Tourism Tendencies and Policies 2012".
Worldwide arrivals reached 940 million in 2010, 6.7% higher than the 2009 number; the Asia-Pacific region showed the greatest percentage growth. OECD member countries accounted for 66% of all tourist arrivals in 2010. The European Union countries received 50.2% of all tourists.
Tourism represents up to a third of service exports for OECD members, and as high as 10% of GDP for certain countries. Yves Leterme, Deputy Secretary General of the OECD said that tourism supports five percent or more of member countries' employment, but in many countries jobs go vacant for lack of skilled workers.
The report examined the tourism industries in 51 OECD countries and the members of the European Union, and made policy recommendations based on the findings.
