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World tourism breaks 800 million mark
World tourism broke through the barrier of 800 million in 2006, with 840 million international arrivals.
The figure was unveiled by Francesco Frangialli, secretary-general of UNWTO, who said: “This represents over 20% growth in the span of three years, equivalent to 150 million additional visitors.”
During his key note speech of the FITUR international tourism fair in Madrid, Frangialli explained: “This development was accomplished despite the volatile price for oil or the weakening US dollar, among other factors.
“As a social activity, tourism has changed and continues to transform itself under pressure from its environment.
“UNWTO stresses that it is increasingly apparent how tourism is falling victim – but also contributing – to climate change and the reduction of biodiversity. The path ahead is therefore marked by a different type of growth: more moderate, more solid and more responsible.”
Frangialli pointed out that “a heavier responsibility now lies on our shoulders, the responsibility to make this new phase of growth more economical in its use of energy and natural resources, more sustainable, and lastly, more in keeping with the spirit of solidarity”.
At FITUR, UNWTO confirmed that in November it will be holding its second major conference on “Tourism and Climate Change”, immediately prior to its General Assembly in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia .
Valere Tjolle
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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