South America was one of the regions to see fastest tourism growth
Strong tourism demand in early 2008
02 July 2008The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has released its first figures covering the travel industry in 2008, showing that there was strong demand in the market in the first four months of the year.
International tourism grew at a rate of around five per cent from January to April, one percentage point above the long-term trend.
While all regions saw positive tourism activity, the fastest growth was recorded in the Middle East; north-east and south Asia; and Central and South America.
Despite these positive results, the UNWTO stressed that the global economic situation could yet have an effect on consumer confidence.
For the year as a whole, the organisation said that it maintains a "cautiously positive" forecast.
UNWTO secretary general Francesco Frangialli said: "The extent of any tourism demand adjustment and its consequences for the sector will depend on how the economy evolves and consumers react, both of which are directly interrelated to oil and food prices.
"UNWTO is monitoring this evolving situation closely. Given current circumstances we are cautious, although we remain positive for the overall industry perspective in 2008."
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