1.46 Billion Global Tourists in 2019... "3-4% Growth Expected This Year"

"Positive Trends Continue in Culture and Sports Sectors Including Tokyo Olympics and Dubai Expo"

On the first weekend of the Korea Grand Sale, the streets of Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, were bustling with tourists on the 19th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) announced on the 20th (local time) that the number of tourists worldwide last year was approximately 1.461 billion, a 4% increase compared to the previous year.

This marks the tenth consecutive year of growth in global tourist numbers since 2009. Although the 4% growth rate last year is somewhat lower than the 7% in 2017 and 6% in 2018, UNWTO assessed that a solid growth trend is being maintained, considering that 2017-2018 were exceptional years.

UNWTO also predicted that the number of tourists worldwide will grow by 3-4% this year. UNWTO analyzed that "cultural and sports events such as the Tokyo Summer Olympics and the Dubai Expo are expected to have a positive impact on this trend."