Slowdown in Tourism Growth in 2019 Most Pronounced in Europe: Report
Skift Take
Tourism is still growing globally, but the forward outlook is a little more cautious than in previous years of unbounded optimism. Geopolitical and economic challenges aren't hard to find — and they're going to affect tourism.
For the 10th consecutive year, international tourism arrivals grew in 2019, reaching 1.5 billion, according to the UN World Travel Organization's Barometer report released Monday.
The 4 percent year-on-year growth rate will be welcome news for the industry, which takes heart in the idea that travel is a resilient force for economic good in the world — even as geopolitical, climatic, and economic headwinds seem to get stronger with each passing quarter. However, there are some cracks beginning to show. After "exceptional" growth rates in 2017 (7 percent) and
