Global tourism is increasing

22.11.2007

The number of holidaymakers visiting other countries is likely to grow this year, experts have predicted.

According to the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), about 900 million people are likely to have travelled abroad this year.

This is 5.7 per cent more than during 2006 and higher than earlier estimates of four per cent.

The revised prediction means that the rate of growth in the global tourist market is faster than the industry had originally anticipated.

Established holiday destinations such as Spain are likely to benefit as a result, since the tourist sector is a major part of its economy.

Speaking to AFP, WTO general secretary Francesco Frangialli said: "At the end of the 1980s France was well ahead of Spain in tourism earnings but now lags behind."

This comes after Co-operative Travel stated that many Britons were likely to fly to sunny destinations this Christmas.

Countries such as Spain were tipped to benefit from an 11 per cent increase in foreign tourism from the UK during the festive season.