Tourism and economic development

1. A2 Macro: Tourism and Economics Growth/Development
Background
According to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
diversification to
become one of the fastest growing economic
food products or automobiles. Tourism
represents sources for many developing countries. This global spread of
tourism in in economic and employment benefits in
many related sector - agricu
- revenues
positioning in ever more complex
national and international markets.
Tourism growth in 2013 was strongest in Asia and the Pacific (+6%), where the number of
international tourists grew by 14 million to reach 248 million.

2. Africa (+6%) attracted three million additional arrivals in 2013, reaching a new record of 56 million,
reflecting the on-going rebound in North Africa (+6%) and the sustained growth of Sub-Saharan
destinations (+5%).
Other background statistics (taken from UNWTO report for 2013)
Globally, tourism accounts for 1% of total water consumption
Over half of all international tourists arrive at their destination by air
Tourism is a key trade category in developing countries, accounting for 56% of the overall service
exports of LDCs
It is the lead export for at least 11 least-development countries (LDCs)
Many industries are affected directly or indirectly by the growth of tourism – e.g. transport,
communications, infrastructure, education, security, health, immigration, customs,
accommodation, agriculture and creative industries