From the Newsroom*
São Paulo – International tourism increased by 5.5% last year. The number of international arrivals around the globe reached 808 million, against 766 million in 2004. For the first time, the 800 million mark was surpassed. The information was released this week by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO).
According to the United Nations Organisation (UN) news agency, Africa was the region that grew the most as a destination in 2005. There was an estimated increase of 10% in the number of arrivals in the region, influenced mainly by the visits to the Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Kenia and Mozambique.
The flow of tourists in Asia and the Pacific, as well as in the Middle East, increased by 7%. In the Americas, there was a 6% increase, with Mexico and Cuba showing an above average performance. In Europe, the flow of visitors increased by 4%.
For 2006, the WTO expects a similar performance in tourism.
*Translated by Silvia Lindsey