Global outbound tourism booming; Southeast Asia travel hot with 10% growth in H1

▲ Survey shows that traveler numbers to Southeast Asia grew 11.6% in the first half of this year. The photo shows Bangkok’s most famous royal palace. (Photo provided by the Tourism Authority of Thailand)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

According to a survey report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the number of global outbound travelers reached nearly 500 million in the first half of this year, up 5.2% from the same period last year, a growth rate that exceeded expectations. Travel to the Asia-Pacific region grew by 6.2%, with Southeast Asia seeing an even stronger increase of 11.6%.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization stated that the number of global outbound travelers reached nearly 500 million in the first half of this year, up 5.2% from the same period last year, a growth rate that exceeded expectations. Travel to the Asia-Pacific region grew by 6.2%, with Southeast Asia seeing an even stronger increase of 11.6%. The World Tourism Organization had originally expected international tourist numbers to grow by 3% to 4% this year, but the “strong” growth in the first half suggests the annual increase could reach 4% or “even exceed 4%”.

By region, international tourist arrivals in Europe grew by 5.1%; the Asia-Pacific region grew by 6.2%, with Southeast Asia seeing a significant increase of 11.6%. The Americas saw only a 2.2% rise in visitors, below expectations. North America saw a 3.1% increase, while South America grew by just 0.3%, and the Caribbean by only 0.1%. Africa saw a 3.8% rise in visitor numbers. The report said that the Middle East saw a 12.9% increase in tourist numbers, but due to large disparities between countries and limited data, the growth rate in the Middle East must be “viewed with caution”.

In terms of economic development level, emerging economies saw a traveler growth rate (6%) that, as in previous years, was higher than that of developed economies (4%). In terms of international tourist spending, travelers from mainland China spent 31% more on overseas tourism, the highest growth globally, followed by Russia with a 22% increase. Canadian travelers’ overseas spending rose by just 3%, France’s by 2%, while the U.S., Germany, and the UK saw little change from the same period last year. Spending by Japanese, Australian, and Italian tourists on overseas travel declined.