United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
UK share of world tourism declines
The UK’s standing as a global tourist destination took a knock last year, according to new figures.
Statistics for the first eight months of 2005 for long haul travel to Europe show the UK’s share dropping to 7% from 10% the previous year. France and Italy also suffered declines, from 5% to 4% as Europe’s share of world tourism stagnated at a level of 30%.
The figures from IPK International’s World Travel Trend Report show that US outbound travel for 2005 is expected to end up around 7% but the growth trend to Europe was a more modest 5%.
Overall international arrivals increased by between 5-6% over 2004 as the industry experienced a year of “sustained recovery”, according to the IPK report which monitors outbound travel in 52 source markets.
The best growth in Europe was city breaks – up 15% in the first eight months of 2005 following a 12% increase in 2004 – fuelled by the boom in low fare airline travel, described as the “major factor dictating how European countries perform as tourist destinations”.
IPK president Rolf Freitag, who is to present the full findings on March 10 at the ITB trade show in Berlin, said: “A number of long haul destinations recorded double-digit increases out of Europe from January through August, among which China, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam.
But the report shows that leisure travel is the only sector showing growth in the US market. Concerns about terrorism, the Iraq war, economic challenges and the impact of oil prices on household spending are among concerns plaguing potential American travellers, according to the findings.
“Baby boomers, on whom expectations were so high a few years ago, have actually recorded a decline in international room nights – due to a case of ‘American Angst’,” the report states.
The so-called ‘Generation X’ age group, those born between 1965 and 1980, are responsible for the growth in US leisure demand.
Report by Phil Davies
Related News Stories:
Phil Davies
Darren Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Tricia Handley-Hughes of Inteletravel announces the location for the TravelQuest 2025 conference
Insights from James Ferrara on Inteletravel’s Growth and Future
BA pilot dies during layover
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Protestors now targeting Amsterdam cruise calls