about world tourism

By Bastian Herre, Veronika Samborska and Max Roser

Tourism has massively increased in recent decades. Aviation has opened up travel from domestic to international. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of international visits had more than doubled since 2000.

Tourism can be important for both the travelers and the people in the countries they visit.

For visitors, traveling can increase their understanding of and appreciation for people in other countries and their cultures.

And in many countries, many people rely on tourism for their income. In some, it is one of the largest industries.

But tourism also has externalities: it contributes to global carbon emissions and can encroach on local environments and cultures.

On this page, you can find data and visualizations on the history and current state of tourism across the world.

Interactive Charts on Tourism

Cite this work.

Our articles and data visualizations rely on work from many different people and organizations. When citing this topic page, please also cite the underlying data sources. This topic page can be cited as:

BibTeX citation

Reuse this work freely

All visualizations, data, and code produced by Our World in Data are completely open access under the Creative Commons BY license . You have the permission to use, distribute, and reproduce these in any medium, provided the source and authors are credited.

The data produced by third parties and made available by Our World in Data is subject to the license terms from the original third-party authors. We will always indicate the original source of the data in our documentation, so you should always check the license of any such third-party data before use and redistribution.

All of our charts can be embedded in any site.

Our World in Data is free and accessible for everyone.

Help us do this work by making a donation.

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Global tourism industry - statistics & facts

What are the leading global tourism destinations, digitalization of the global tourism industry, how important is sustainable tourism, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP worldwide 2019-2033

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 1950-2023

Global leisure travel spend 2019-2022

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Leading global travel markets by travel and tourism contribution to GDP 2019-2022

Travel and tourism employment worldwide 2019-2033

Related topics

Recommended.

• Hotel industry worldwide
• Travel agency industry
• Sustainable tourism worldwide
• Travel and tourism in the U.S.
• Travel and tourism in Europe

Recommended statistics

• Basic Statistic Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP worldwide 2019-2033
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism: share of global GDP 2019-2033
• Basic Statistic Leading global travel markets by travel and tourism contribution to GDP 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Global leisure travel spend 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Global business travel spending 2001-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 1950-2023
• Basic Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 2005-2023, by region
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism employment worldwide 2019-2033

Total contribution of travel and tourism to gross domestic product (GDP) worldwide in 2019 and 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2033 (in trillion U.S. dollars)

Travel and tourism: share of global GDP 2019-2033

Share of travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP worldwide in 2019 and 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2033

Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in leading travel markets worldwide in 2019 and 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Leisure tourism spending worldwide from 2019 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Global business travel spending 2001-2022

Expenditure of business tourists worldwide from 2001 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide from 1950 to 2023 (in millions)

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 2005-2023, by region

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide from 2005 to 2023, by region (in millions)

Number of travel and tourism jobs worldwide from 2019 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2033 (in millions)

• Premium Statistic Global hotel and resort industry market size worldwide 2013-2023
• Premium Statistic Most valuable hotel brands worldwide 2023, by brand value
• Basic Statistic Leading hotel companies worldwide 2023, by number of properties
• Premium Statistic Hotel openings worldwide 2021-2024
• Premium Statistic Hotel room openings worldwide 2021-2024
• Premium Statistic Countries with the most hotel construction projects in the pipeline worldwide 2022

Global hotel and resort industry market size worldwide 2013-2023

Market size of the hotel and resort industry worldwide from 2013 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 (in trillion U.S. dollars)

Most valuable hotel brands worldwide 2023, by brand value

Leading hotel brands based on brand value worldwide in 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Leading hotel companies worldwide 2023, by number of properties

Leading hotel companies worldwide as of June 2023, by number of properties

Hotel openings worldwide 2021-2024

Number of hotels opened worldwide from 2021 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2024

Hotel room openings worldwide 2021-2024

Number of hotel rooms opened worldwide from 2021 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2024

Countries with the most hotel construction projects in the pipeline worldwide 2022

Countries with the highest number of hotel construction projects in the pipeline worldwide as of Q4 2022

• Premium Statistic Airports with the most international air passenger traffic worldwide 2022
• Premium Statistic Market value of selected airlines worldwide 2023
• Premium Statistic Global passenger rail users forecast 2017-2027
• Premium Statistic Daily ridership of bus rapid transit systems worldwide by region 2023
• Premium Statistic Number of users of car rentals worldwide 2019-2028
• Premium Statistic Number of users in selected countries in the Car Rentals market in 2023
• Premium Statistic Carbon footprint of international tourism transport worldwide 2005-2030, by type

Airports with the most international air passenger traffic worldwide 2022

Leading airports for international air passenger traffic in 2022 (in million international passengers)

Market value of selected airlines worldwide 2023

Market value of selected airlines worldwide as of May 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Global passenger rail users forecast 2017-2027

Worldwide number of passenger rail users from 2017 to 2022, with a forecast through 2027 (in billion users)

Daily ridership of bus rapid transit systems worldwide by region 2023

Number of daily passengers using bus rapid transit (BRT) systems as of April 2023, by region

Number of users of car rentals worldwide 2019-2028

Number of users of car rentals worldwide from 2019 to 2028 (in millions)

Number of users in selected countries in the Car Rentals market in 2023

Number of users in selected countries in the Car Rentals market in 2023 (in million)

Carbon footprint of international tourism transport worldwide 2005-2030, by type

Transport-related emissions from international tourist arrivals worldwide in 2005 and 2016, with a forecast for 2030, by mode of transport (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)

Attractions

• Premium Statistic Market size of museums, historical sites, zoos, and parks worldwide 2022-2027
• Premium Statistic Leading museums by highest attendance worldwide 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Most visited amusement and theme parks worldwide 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Monuments on the UNESCO world heritage list 2023, by type
• Basic Statistic Selected countries with the most Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide 2023

Market size of museums, historical sites, zoos, and parks worldwide 2022-2027

Size of the museums, historical sites, zoos, and parks market worldwide in 2022, with a forecast for 2023 and 2027 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Leading museums by highest attendance worldwide 2019-2022

Most visited museums worldwide from 2019 to 2022 (in millions)

Most visited amusement and theme parks worldwide 2019-2022

Leading amusement and theme parks worldwide from 2019 to 2022, by attendance (in millions)

Monuments on the UNESCO world heritage list 2023, by type

Number of monuments on the UNESCO world heritage list as of September 2023, by type

Selected countries with the most Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide 2023

Number of Michelin-starred restaurants in selected countries and territories worldwide as of July 2023

Online travel market

• Premium Statistic Online travel market size worldwide 2017-2028
• Premium Statistic Estimated desktop vs. mobile revenue of leading OTAs worldwide 2023
• Premium Statistic Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps worldwide 2023
• Basic Statistic Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide 2023
• Premium Statistic Leading online travel companies worldwide 2020-2022, by revenue CAGR
• Premium Statistic Leading online travel companies worldwide 2022-2023, by EV/EBITDA

Online travel market size worldwide 2017-2028

Online travel market size worldwide from 2017 to 2023, with a forecast until 2028 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Estimated desktop vs. mobile revenue of leading OTAs worldwide 2023

Estimated desktop vs. mobile revenue of leading online travel agencies (OTAs) worldwide in 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps worldwide 2023

Number of aggregated downloads of selected leading online travel agency apps worldwide in 2023 (in millions)

Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide 2023

Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide as of September 2023 (in million U.S. dollars)

Leading online travel companies worldwide 2020-2022, by revenue CAGR

Revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of leading online travel companies worldwide from 2020 to 2022

Leading online travel companies worldwide 2022-2023, by EV/EBITDA

Enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of selected leading online travel companies worldwide in 2022, with a forecast for 2023

Selected trends

• Premium Statistic Global travelers who believe in the importance of green travel 2022
• Premium Statistic Sustainable initiatives travelers would adopt worldwide 2022, by region
• Premium Statistic Airbnb revenue worldwide 2017-2023
• Premium Statistic Airbnb nights and experiences booked worldwide 2017-2023
• Premium Statistic Technologies global hotels plan to implement in the next three years 2022
• Premium Statistic Hotel technologies global consumers think would improve their future stay 2022

Global travelers who believe in the importance of green travel 2022

Share of travelers that believe sustainable travel is important worldwide in 2022

Sustainable initiatives travelers would adopt worldwide 2022, by region

Main sustainable initiatives travelers are willing to adopt worldwide in 2022, by region

Airbnb revenue worldwide 2017-2023

Revenue of Airbnb worldwide from 2017 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Airbnb nights and experiences booked worldwide 2017-2023

Nights and experiences booked with Airbnb from 2017 to 2023 (in millions)

Technologies global hotels plan to implement in the next three years 2022

Technologies hotels are most likely to implement in the next three years worldwide as of 2022

Hotel technologies global consumers think would improve their future stay 2022

Must-have hotel technologies to create a more amazing stay in the future among travelers worldwide as of 2022

• Premium Statistic Travel and tourism revenue worldwide 2019-2028, by segment
• Premium Statistic Distribution of sales channels in the travel and tourism market worldwide 2018-2028
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region
• Premium Statistic Outbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region

Travel and tourism revenue worldwide 2019-2028, by segment

Revenue of the global travel and tourism market from 2019 to 2028, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)

Distribution of sales channels in the travel and tourism market worldwide 2018-2028

Revenue share of sales channels of the travel and tourism market worldwide from 2018 to 2028

Inbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region

Inbound tourism visitor growth worldwide from 2020 to 2022, with a forecast until 2025, by region

Outbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region

Outbound tourism visitor growth worldwide from 2020 to 2022, with a forecast until 2025, by region

Further reports Get the best reports to understand your industry

Get the best reports to understand your industry.

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

• Chronicle Conversations
• Article archives
• Issue archives

Tourism Can Help Lead the World to Recovery

About the author, zurab pololikashvili.

Zurab Pololikashvili is Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

26 September 2020 T he COVID-19 pandemic has hit global tourism harder than any other major economic sector. In an effort to contain the spread of the virus and keep their citizens safe, countries around the world introduced restrictions on international travel, bringing tourism to a standstill almost overnight. Indeed, at the peak of this lockdown, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) found that 100 per cent of global destinations had either closed their borders to tourists completely or introduced strict measures such as compulsory quarantine for new arrivals.

The sudden and unexpected fall in tourist arrivals also placed on hold the many social and economic benefits that tourism delivers. Globally, tourism supports one in ten jobs, and 80 per cent of the sector is made up of small businesses, including family operations. At the start of the crisis, UNWTO set out three possible scenarios for tourism in 2020, depending on when and how widely travel restrictions would be lifted. While it looks like we will avoid the worst-case scenario, we nevertheless expect global tourist arrivals to be down by as much as 70 per cent this year compared to 2019.

The knock-on effect will be significant. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that tourism’s woes will cause global GDP to decline by as much as 1.5 per cent to 2.8 per cent . Furthermore, the fall in tourist numbers will likely translate into as many as 120 million lost jobs. And, as always, the most vulnerable will suffer the most, including women and youth, for whom tourism is a leading source of opportunity, as well as those working in the informal economy.

Developing countries at greatest risk

No country has been left unscathed by the pandemic, including with regard to tourism. The effects, however, will be most profoundly felt in those destinations that are most reliant on tourism for livelihoods and economic well-being. For the majority of the world’s Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as the least developed countries, most notably within Africa, tourism is a lifeline. On average, tourism accounts for 30 per cent of export revenues for SIDS , and in some cases this is much higher. Indeed, in Palau—the newest UNWTO member State, having officially joined in 2019— tourism generates 90 per cent of all exports .

As the United Nations Secretary-General’s Policy Brief on “ COVID-19 and Transforming Tourism ” makes clear, the true cost of the pandemic’s impact on tourism cannot be measured in GDP or employment figures alone. Due to its unique cross-cutting nature, touching upon nearly every part of modern society, tourism is an essential contributor to the wider mission of the United Nations, including achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Again, as a leading employer of women, tourism leads the way in the journey towards gender equality. At the same time, tourism is a leading contributor to the promotion and protection of cultural and natural heritage, which is in jeopardy, including the ecosystems and wildlife that draw visitors to developing countries.

Building cooperation and a united response

Before the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic, UNWTO recognized both the unique vulnerability of tourism and also the sector’s unique potential to drive wider societal recovery once the health crisis had been tackled. The visit of a UNWTO delegation to WHO headquarters in Geneva laid the foundations for the international, multi-organizational cooperation that has defined tourism’s response to an unprecedented challenge.

This, in turn, came on the back of heightened advocacy for tourism at the very highest political level, most notably at the European Commission at the start of the year, to make sure the sector is at the centre of the planned European New Green Deal, as well as at the most recent meetings of the G20 nations. This has allowed UNWTO to become an increasingly prominent voice within the United Nations. When the crisis hit, we were able to make sure that tourism was part of the conversation at both the governmental and United Nations levels.

The Global Tourism Crisis Committee, convened virtually in March and then meeting five times as the crisis evolved, brought together leading voices from member States and from the private sector. Only UNWTO was in a position to unite such a diverse sector. This Crisis Committee channelled these diverse voices and concerns into a clear plan of action, the UNWTO Recommendations for Recovery . These Recommendations have been embraced across the public and private sectors and now inform recovery plans in every global region.

Sustainability takes centre stage

Central to the Recommendations is the principle that sustainability and inclusivity are at the heart of both the recovery process and the tourism sector that emerges out of this crisis. The pause in global tourism presents the global community with a chance to reassess its priorities. It also allows us to put the principles that are central to the work of UNWTO—namely that tourism works for people and planet, and should be open to all and benefit all—front and centre of everything we do.

The number one priority, however, is to build trust and confidence. Only by making people feel safe and encouraging them to travel again will the benefits that tourism offers start to return. UNWTO, as the specialized United Nations agency for tourism, must lead by example. To this end, as soon as it was safely possible, in-person visits to member States resumed: to the Canary Islands and Ibiza in Spain, to Italy, and to Saudi Arabia. The decision was also made to hold a hybrid Executive Council meeting, the first in-person meeting of the tourism sector and the United Nations to be held since the start of the pandemic. This brought together 170 delegates from 24 countries, sending a clear message that safe international travel is now possible in many parts of the world, thus providing a vital confidence boost for the sector.

As tourism restarts in many parts of the world, with growing numbers of countries easing travel restrictions, the sector’s position within the work of the United Nations has never been more relevant. UNWTO leads the restart guided by the principles of the Tbilisi Declaration , signed by our member States in Georgia at the close of the UNWTO Executive Council (15–17 September 2020). The Declaration recognizes the importance of tourism to livelihoods, to economic prosperity and opportunity, and to preserving our shared and unique culture. Signatories also committed to building back better, prioritizing sustainability and equality, and ensuring that, as tourism builds a brighter future, nobody is left behind.

The UN Chronicle  is not an official record. It is privileged to host senior United Nations officials as well as distinguished contributors from outside the United Nations system whose views are not necessarily those of the United Nations. Similarly, the boundaries and names shown, and the designations used, in maps or articles do not necessarily imply endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

From Local Moments to Global Movement: Reparation Mechanisms and a Development Framework

For two centuries, emancipated Black people have been calling for reparations for the crimes committed against them. 

World Down Syndrome Day: A Chance to End the Stereotypes

The international community, led by the United Nations, can continue to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome by addressing stereotypes and misconceptions.

Population and Climate Change: Decent Living for All without Compromising Climate Mitigation

A rise in the demand for energy linked to increasing incomes should not be justification for keeping people in poverty solely to avoid an escalation in emissions and its effects on climate change. 

Documents and publications

• Yearbook of the United Nations 
• Basic Facts About the United Nations
• Journal of the United Nations
• Meetings Coverage and Press Releases
• United Nations Official Document System (ODS)
• Africa Renewal

Libraries and Archives

• Dag Hammarskjöld Library
• UN Audiovisual Library
• UN Archives and Records Management 
• Audiovisual Library of International Law
• UN iLibrary 

News and media

• UN News Centre 
• UN Chronicle on Twitter
• UN Chronicle on Facebook

The UN at Work

• 17 Goals to Transform Our World
• Official observances
• United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI)
• Protecting Human Rights
• Maintaining International Peace and Security
• The Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth
• United Nations Careers

What next for travel and tourism? Here's what the experts say

In many countries, more than 80% of travel and tourism spending actually comes from the domestic market. Image:  Unsplash/Surface

.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:hover,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:focus,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);} Julie Masiga

.chakra .wef-9dduvl{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-9dduvl{font-size:1.125rem;}} Explore and monitor how .chakra .wef-15eoq1r{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;color:#F7DB5E;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-15eoq1r{font-size:1.125rem;}} Travel and Tourism is affecting economies, industries and global issues

.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;color:#2846F8;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{font-size:1.125rem;}} Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale

Stay up to date:, travel and tourism.

• In 2020 alone, the travel and tourism sector lost $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs globally.
• But as the world recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel and tourism can bounce back as an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient sector.
• Two experts highlight some of the key transformations in the sector going forward during the World Economic Forum's Our World in Transformation series.

The Travel & Tourism sector was one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving not only companies but also tourism-driven economies severely affected by shutdowns, travel restrictions and the disappearance of international travel.

In 2020 alone, the sector lost $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs, impacting the living standards and well-being of communities across the globe. Moreover, the halt in international travel gave both leisure and business travellers the chance to consider the impact of their choices on the climate and environment.

Amid shifting demand dynamics and future opportunities and risks, a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient travel and tourism sector can be - and needs to be - built.

The World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021 finds that embedding inclusivity, sustainability and resilience into the travel and tourism sector as it recovers, will ensure it can continue to be a driver of global connectivity, peace and economic and social progress.

We spoke to Sandra Carvao , Chief of Market Intelligence and Competitiveness at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and Liz Ortiguera , CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association in Thailand (PATA), and asked them to highlight some of the key areas of risk and opportunity in the sector during an episode of the World Economic Forum's Our World in Transformation series.

Have you read?

Travel & tourism development index 2021: rebuilding for a sustainable and resilient future, towards resilience and sustainability: travel and tourism development recovery, how can we really achieve sustainability in the travel sector, what are some of the top global trends you're witnessing currently in the travel and tourism sector.

Liz Ortiguera: Given the extended lockdown that we had on travel with the pandemic, vacation for friends and relatives (VFR) is now a high priority for people who haven’t been in touch for a long time thanks to the pandemic. So, people are reconnecting. And that kind of links to the second trend, which is multi-purpose or blended travel. Never before, particularly now that we can connect digitally through Zoom, has the ability to work from anywhere enabled travellers to cover multiple purposes, like visits with friends and multiple business trips. So, we'll find that the duration of travel and the length of stay is longer. And third is the continued high focus on safety and wellness which is top of mind for travellers due to the pandemic. All travel is wellness-related now.

Sandra Carvao: I think there is a bigger concern with sustainability, which is very welcome in our industry. Consumers, particularly the younger generation, are much more aware of the impact they have, not only on the environment but also socially and on the communities they live in. We've also seen an increase in expenditure per trip, so I think people are very eager to go outside, and they're staying longer. And on the other side, I think there are some challenges: we’re seeing a rise in late bookings because restrictions can change at short notice and that’s having an impact on the decisions of travellers. This is putting pressure on the industry in terms of planning and anticipating fluctuations in demand.

Social media surveys have shown that travellers who have immersive experiences are more likely to post about them, which is good for the industry.

What is community-based tourism and why is it important?

Sandra Carvao: One of the positive impacts of the pandemic is that people are looking for local experiences and are spending more time with communities. So, the concept of community-based tourism is obviously one that puts the community at the core of every development, ensuring that it's engaged and empowered and that it benefits. At the UNWTO, we worked with the G20 and the Saudi presidency back in 2020 and produced a framework for tourism development in communities, which states that communities need to be part of the planning and management of tourism activities. We need to go beyond traditional definitions of community to a point where the industry leans on partnerships between the public and private sectors and communities.

Liz Ortiguera: In July 2022, PATA is hosting a destination-marketing forum and one of the key themes is community-based tourism. The purpose is really to put the community and authenticity-in-culture activities at the heart of the travel experience. There are benefits for all stakeholders. One is that travellers can have an authentic experience. They're not in overcrowded, touristic locations and they experience something new and unique within the community. These experiences are designed in partnership with communities who get the benefit of financial inclusion, and if activities are designed properly, the reinforcement of their cultural heritage. Governments also engage in economic development more broadly across countries. Another interesting trend is creative tourism, which means you create an experience for tourists to participate in, like a dance lesson, or a cooking lesson. Social media surveys have shown that travellers who have these kinds of immersive experiences are more likely to post about them online and that's good for the industry.

It is important to emphasize that virtual experiences, while they are a fun tool, can never replace visiting a destination.

How is technology and innovation helping to leverage cultural resources?

Sandra Carvao: One interesting trend we’re seeing is that more and more people are booking trips directly, so communities need to be supported to digitize their systems. Education and upskilling of communities are important so that they can leverage digital platforms to market themselves. From the tourists’ perspective, it is important to emphasize that virtual experiences, while they are a fun tool, can never replace visiting a destination.

Liz Ortiguera: People have been living virtually for more than two years. Amazing innovations have emerged, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, and all kinds of applications and tools. But the important thing is the experience. The destination. Real-world experiences need to remain front and centre. Technology tools should be viewed as enablers and not the core experience. And when it comes to staff, technology can really democratize education. There’s an opportunity to mobilize a mobile-first approach for those who are on the frontlines, or out in the field, and can’t easily access computers, but need to get real-time information.

How is the sector dealing with labour shortages and re-employment of the workforce?

Liz Ortiguera: Labour shortages are much more dynamic in North America and in Europe. But it’s having a knock-on effect on Asia. If, for example, their air carriers are limited by staff and they have to cancel flights, which we're very much seeing out of Europe, seating capacity then becomes a limiting factor in the recovery of Asia Pacific. That's the main constraint right now. And compounding that is the rising price of fuel. But people in the Asia Pacific are keen to get reemployed.

Sandra Carvao: Labour shortages are a priority for the sector in countries around the world. Many workers left the sector during the pandemic and the uncertainty that surrounded the measures taken to contain it left many people unsure of whether the sector would recover. It is time to address things like conditions, scheduling, and work/life balance, all things which have been top of mind for workers during the pandemic. As the sector recovers, we need time to bring new hires on board and to train them to take over where those who switched jobs left off.

Are we seeing a growing trend towards domestic tourism?

Sandra Carvao: We’re talking about 9 billion people travelling within their own countries. And in many countries, for example in Germany, more than 80% of the tourism spending actually comes from the domestic market, similarly in countries like Spain and even smaller economies. Whenever it's possible to travel again, domestic markets tend to be more resilient. They kick off first mostly due to perceptions of safety and security issues. As the world economy recovers from the pandemic, there is a good opportunity for nations to rethink their strategy, look at the domestic market in a different way, and leverage different products for domestic tourists.

When it comes to sustainable tourism, how quickly could we mainstream eco-friendly modes of transportation?

Sandra Carvao: Transport is one of the key contributors to energy impacts and tourism. But it's also important that we look at the whole value chain. The UNWTO together with the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme just launched the Glasgow Declaration, which includes green commitments from destinations and companies. We’re seeing a strong movement in the airline industry to reduce emissions. But I think, obviously, technological developments will be very important. But it's also very important to look at market shifts. And we can't forget small islands and developing states that rely on long-haul air travel. It’s important to make sure that we invest in making the problem much less impactful.

Liz Ortiguera: 'Travel and tourism' is such a broad encompassing term that it’s not fair to call it an industry: it is actually a sector of many industries. The pandemic taught us how broad the impact of the sector is in terms of sustainability. There's a big movement in terms of destination resilience, which is the foundation for achieving sustainability in the journey to net-zero. We now have standards to mitigate that impact including meetings-and-events (MIE) standards and standards for tour operators. There are multiple areas within our industry where progress is being made. And I'm really encouraged by the fact that there is such a focus not just within the sector but also among consumers.

This interview was first done at the World Economic Forum's studios in Geneva as part of 'Our World in Transformation' - a live interactive event series for our digital members. To watch all the episodes and join future sessions, please subscribe here .

Don't miss any update on this topic

Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

Related topics:

The agenda .chakra .wef-n7bacu{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-weight:400;} weekly.

A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda

.chakra .wef-1dtnjt5{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;} More on Travel and Tourism .chakra .wef-17xejub{-webkit-flex:1;-ms-flex:1;flex:1;justify-self:stretch;-webkit-align-self:stretch;-ms-flex-item-align:stretch;align-self:stretch;} .chakra .wef-nr1rr4{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;white-space:normal;vertical-align:middle;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:0.75rem;border-radius:0.25rem;font-weight:700;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;line-height:1.2;-webkit-letter-spacing:1.25px;-moz-letter-spacing:1.25px;-ms-letter-spacing:1.25px;letter-spacing:1.25px;background:none;padding:0px;color:#B3B3B3;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;}@media screen and (min-width:37.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:0.875rem;}}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:1rem;}} See all

How Japan is attracting digital nomads to shape local economies and innovation

Naoko Tochibayashi and Naoko Kutty

March 28, 2024

Turning tourism into development: Mitigating risks and leveraging heritage assets

Abeer Al Akel and Maimunah Mohd Sharif

February 15, 2024

Buses are key to fuelling Indian women's economic success. Here's why

Priya Singh

February 8, 2024

These are the world’s most powerful passports to have in 2024

Thea de Gallier

January 31, 2024

These are the world’s 9 most powerful passports in 2024

South Korea is launching a special visa for K-pop lovers

• Press Releases
• Press Enquiries
• Travel Hub / Blog
• Brand Resources
• Newsletter Sign Up
• Global Summit
• Hosting a Summit
• Upcoming Events
• Previous Events
• Event Photography
• Event Enquiries
• Our Members
• Our Associates Community
• Membership Benefits
• Enquire About Membership
• Sponsors & Partners
• Insights & Publications
• WTTC Research Hub
• regions & countries
• Knowledge Partners
• Data Enquiries
• Hotel Sustainability Basics
• Community Conscious Travel
• SafeTravels Stamp Application
• SafeTravels: Global Protocols & Stamp
• Security & Travel Facilitation
• Sustainable Growth
• Women Empowerment
• Destination Spotlight - SLO CAL
• Vision For Nature Positive Travel and Tourism
• Governments
• Consumer Travel Blog
• ONEin330Million Campaign
• Reunite Campaign

30 Years of WTTC

Our mission is to maximise the inclusive and sustainable growth potential of the Travel & Tourism sector by partnering with governments, destinations, communities, and other stakeholders to drive economic development, create jobs, reduce poverty and foster peace, security, and understanding in our world. Since the initial discussions between industry CEOs in the late 1980s about establishing a forum for business leaders in Travel & Tourism to the way it is today, WTTC has had many achievements, and its role & activities grown significantly. But its core mission remains the same - to raise awareness of the full economic and social impact and potential of Travel & Tourism.

Why was WTTC formed?

In the late 1980s a group of industry Chairs and CEOs, led by James Robinson III - then Chairman and CEO of American Express - came to the realisation that, although Travel & Tourism was the largest industry in the world and the biggest provider of jobs, few in the industry, let alone within governments, were aware of this. There was no consolidated data, nor industry voice, through which to convey this message to elected officials and policy-makers. Indeed, Travel & Tourism was considered by many as frivolous or, at least, a 'non-essential' activity. This realisation led to an initial meeting in Paris in 1989 between a number of industry leaders from different parts of the globe. One notable outcome of the meeting was that the participants received a powerful message from Henry Kissinger, which confirmed that they represented the world’s biggest industry but that it was not recognised because it was too fragmented. This gave added impetus to the group’s objectives and WTTC was established in 1990, with James Robinson III as Chairman and Geoffrey Lipman as President. At the time of the first AGM in Washington in 1991, in the aftermath of the Gulf War, the Council comprised 32 Members. This first official meeting served to determine the objectives of WTTC and the key issues to be addressed.

• Governments recognising Travel & Tourism as a top priority
• Business balancing economics with people, culture and environment
• A shared pursuit of long-term growth and prosperity

Explore WTTC

Our Members and Partners are inspired by a sense of responsibility and a desire to contribute to a better world. These powerful partnerships enable us to drive sustainable inclusive economic developments and ensure the seamless & secure mobility of travellers.

We participage in high-level governmental and sector events alongside our yearly Global Summit, the main event in the global Travel & Tourism calendar, which brings together both senior public and private sector figures including Heads of State.

Our initiatives bring together key stakeholders from the public & private sectors and focus on issues including safe & seamless travel, crisis readiness & resilience, and sustainable growth through environmental action, destination stewardship, and more.

Measuring the sector's size, growth, and contribution to society form the backbone of our mission. We produce globally recognised economic impact reports and key insights.

Keep up to date with WTTC's news by following us on social, reading our latest press releases , viewing our latest blog posts , or signing up for our monthly newsletter.

Alongside our board of Vice-Chairs and Executive Committee from our Member organisations, our WTTC directors are responsible for guiding the work of the Council in the fulfillment of its mission.

About World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day is an annual celebration of the global tourism industry, recognized every year on September 27th. This special day provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of tourism, its impact on the world, and to raise awareness about the benefits of responsible and sustainable tourism practices.

What is World Tourism Day?

World Tourism Day was established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO ) in 1980. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the importance of tourism and its impact on the global economy, cultural exchange, and environmental sustainability. Each year, World Tourism Day has a different theme, highlighting various aspects of tourism and its benefits.

Every year, the UNWTO selects a specific theme for World Tourism Day. The theme is chosen to reflect current trends and challenges facing the tourism industry, and to promote new initiatives and ideas for the future. In 2021, the theme for World Tourism Day was "Tourism for Inclusive Growth," highlighting the importance of creating sustainable tourism opportunities that benefit all members of society, including those in marginalized and vulnerable communities.

When is World Tourism Day?

Tourism is one of the world's largest industries, contributing to economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange. It is a powerful tool for promoting peace, understanding, and cooperation among nations. World Tourism Day provides an opportunity to recognize the immense potential of tourism as a force for good and to raise awareness about the challenges facing the industry.

The Importance of World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day is observed annually on September 27th. This day is an opportunity for everyone to come together to celebrate the transformative power of tourism and its ability to create a better world.

One of the primary goals of World Tourism Day is to raise awareness about the social, cultural, and economic benefits of tourism. Travel and tourism are among the world's largest industries, generating significant income and employment opportunities in many countries around the world. In fact, according to the UNWTO, the tourism sector accounts for around 10% of global GDP and employs one in ten people worldwide.

But beyond the economic benefits, tourism also plays a vital role in promoting cross-cultural understanding, fostering peace and tolerance, and preserving cultural heritage. Tourism can also help to promote sustainable development, protect natural resources, and support local communities by providing income and employment opportunities.

When it comes to celebrating World Tourism Day, there are a variety of activities and events taking place around the world. Some countries organize tourism fairs and exhibitions, while others hold conferences, seminars, and workshops focused on promoting responsible tourism practices. In recent years, there has also been a growing trend of digital events, including webinars, online forums, and social media campaigns.

One of the most significant achievements of World Tourism Day has been its role in promoting sustainable tourism practices. As more and more people travel, it's essential to ensure that tourism is managed in a way that respects local communities and the environment. The UNWTO has developed a set of guidelines for sustainable tourism, known as the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, which encourages tourists to be responsible and respectful when traveling.

Some of the key principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism include respecting local customs and traditions, protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting cultural understanding. By adhering to these principles, tourists can help to ensure that tourism continues to benefit local communities and the environment while promoting social and cultural diversity.

Tourism is one of the world's largest industries, and it has the potential to create enormous benefits for both people and the planet. It contributes to economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange, and it is a powerful tool for promoting peace, understanding, and cooperation among nations. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the tourism industry, with many businesses and communities struggling to survive.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, World Tourism Day presents an opportunity to rethink and transform tourism into a more sustainable and resilient industry. The celebration of this day highlights the importance of tourism and its potential to create a better future for all.

World Tourism Day is celebrated in various ways worldwide, including cultural festivals, food fairs, adventure sports, and nature walks. These activities showcase the unique features of different destinations, promote local businesses, and encourage sustainable tourism practices. They also provide an opportunity for tourists and locals to come together and experience the diversity of cultures and traditions that make our world so fascinating.

World Tourism Day is a crucial event that celebrates the importance of tourism and its impact on the world.

This Day is an occasion to celebrate the power of travel and tourism in creating a better world. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of tourism and its potential to promote economic growth, cultural exchange, and environmental sustainability. As we celebrate this day, we must also recognize the challenges facing the tourism industry and work together to promote sustainable tourism practices that benefit both people and the planet.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name  *

Email  *

Post Comment

World Tourism Day honors global travel, promoting cultural awareness, and highlights tourism's socioeconomic importance. Observed annually on September 27th.

World Tourism Day 2023

World Tourism Day Activities

International Tourism Day

Happy Tourism Day

Privacy Policy

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

© Copyright 2024 World Tourism Day . All Rights Reserved.

50 fascinating facts about the travel and tourism industry

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

The travel and tourism industry is one of the biggest in the world with a wide variety of weird, wonderful and shocking facts. Today I’m going to give you a glimpse of some of the most fascinating facts about the travel and tourism industry, perfect for travel enthusiasts and lovers, as well as students and teachers!

Pilots and co-pilots won’t eat the same meal before a flight

The shortest commercial flight is less than two minutes long, in the past 60 seconds that you’ve been reading this article, over 2000 people have arrived in a foreign country, 56 pieces of luggage have been lost, and a quarter of a million dollars has been spent by americans abroad, the smoke trailing out of the aeroplane is actually water vapour, the boeing 747 can hold enough fuel to power a car around the planet 4 times, the high amount of pressure contained within a cabin prevents you from opening an aeroplane door mid-flight, fancy a 19 hour direct flight this was the longest flight in the world and it flew from new york to sydney, australia, flying as little as one mile in a plane can produce 53 pounds of carbon dioxide, jet lag feels worse when travelling from west to east, there are over 60,000 people in the air over the us at any given point, flying alters your sense of taste and smell, a single boeing 777 delivers double the horsepower of the titanic, during a 10 hour flight you could lose more than 2 litres of water, thomas cook were the world’s oldest tour operator, there are a number of eccentric airbnb options available, such as sleeping in a plane in france or a seashell in mexico, one of the most expensive hotels in the world is the empathy suite sky villa at the palms casino resort in vegas, las vegas has the highest number of hotel rooms in the world, phone chargers are the most common item left in hotel rooms, the tourism industry is the largest global industry by employment, china is experiencing a rapid growth in medical tourism, there are many different types of tourism that you may be unaware of, such as ‘slum’ tourism and ‘flash packing’, tourists are becoming less interested in conventional package holidays, with dynamic packages and special interest tourism on the rise, looking for new pearly-whites dental tourism has also seen a rapid growth in recent years, the proliferation of technology has resulted in a rise in smart tourism, some destinations are forced to limit tourist numbers due to overtourism, this is called controlled tourism, -> you’re half way there continue reading for even more fascinating facts about the travel and tourism industry, saudi arabia has no rivers, the maglev bullet train in japan is the fastest in the world, pluto can fit in russia, france is the most popular tourist destination, vatican is the smallest country in the world, canada has over 2 million lakes, the entirety of china operates on beijing time, france covers more time zones than any other country, feeding pigeons in san francisco is illegal, spanish is ranked as the happiest language in the world, the united states is the only developed country to not have a single paid holiday or vacation day, las vegas consumes around 60,000 pounds of shrimp, daily, dogs are banned from antarctica, every penny collected in rome’s trevi fountain is donated to a number of charities, the size of the eiffel tower changes during the summer, sticky rice was used in the construction of the great wall of china, italy is home to a free wine fountain, there is a typo on the famous liberty bell in philadelphia, pennsylvania, the biggest cruise ship in the world is the ‘wonder of the seas’, some of the most unusual attractions include the temple of rats and the island of the dolls, money spent on travel makes you happier than money spent on material goods, holidaying is good for your heart, travel increases your creativity, you’ll never see a disney bin being emptied, facts about travel and tourism- further reading, facts about the travel and tourism industry- aviation.

Fasten your seatbelts for some great facts about the travel and tourism aviation industry. Prepare for take-off!

In most cases, both the pilot and co-pilot will not eat the same meal before flying the aircraft. This is because they want to reduce the risk of both pilots contracting food poisoning from eating the same food.

Believe it or not, you can actually get on a flight that lasts less than two minutes! Located in Orkney, Scotland, this flight runs between the islands of Westray and Papa Westray. With a record time of just 47 seconds, why walk when you can take a plane?

This is one of my favourite facts about the travel and tourism industry, showcasing just how fast-paced this industry really is. I wonder how high these figures will be by the time you reach fact number 50?

Ever wondered how pilots use their aircraft to make those shapes in the sky using smoke? Well this is actually water vapour formed as a result of chemicals, hydrocarbon and oxygen, combining to produce water and some carbon dioxide.

Although this fuel doesn’t last as long in the Boeing 747 , it would however be enough to fuel your road trips for the next year or so. This aircraft has a total of 8 fuel tanks and a combined capacity of 57,164 gallons of fuel. I know I wouldn’t want to be the one paying that fuel bill.

One of the facts about the travel and tourism industry you might not know is, despite popular belief and conventional representations in the film industry, you can’t actually open an aeroplane door during a flight due to the high amount of pressure contained in the cabin. The cabin pressure is so high due to the altitude of the aircraft and thin air outside.

So yes, this does mean that most of those scenes you saw in films were technically inaccurate!

This test flight on a Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, flew an incredible 16,200 kilometres without stopping. The total flight time was 19 hours and 16 minutes, with maximum fuel, minimum cargo and a small number of passengers. This flight was research based and used to assess passenger and cabin crew health and wellness on an ‘ultra-long-haul flight’.

This is one of the more serious facts about travel and tourism. As fun and exciting as flying is, it unfortunately has some negative impacts on the environment.

Aircrafts produce a huge amount of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions which are harmful towards our planet. Not all of the facts about the travel and tourism industry are positive, and I would always encourage you to consider researching more sustainable transport options when planning your next trip.

Another one of the great facts about the travel and tourism industry would be the difference in jet lag when travelling either west or east. This is because our bodies find it easier to cope with staying up later than waking up earlier than usual. As the saying goes, “west is best, east is a beast”, you’re less likely to feel jet lagged if you travel from west to east because of the later time zones.

The US is a hugely popular tourist destination with aircrafts flying people in, out and around the US all day everyday. This means that there is, approximately, always over 60,000 people in the air over the US on any given day at any given point.

Have you ever noticed that food taste different when you’re on an aeroplane? Well, this is actually due to the high altitude and lack of humidity reducing your sense of smell, weakening your sense of taste and ability to recognise saltiness and sweetness. If you want to know how the food really tastes, you can attend the Flying Food Festival which takes place in London each year.

The Titanic was able to deliver approximately 46,000 horsepower, unlike today’s Boeing 777 which can now deliver around 110,000 horsepower.

The low humidity and reduced oxygen environment causes your body to lose more water than you usually would on the ground. Next time you’re on an aeroplane maybe opt for a bottle of water instead of a brew!

The travel organisation, Thomas Cook , was initially founded in 1841, with a train journey from Leicester to Loughborough being their first package holiday. Costing 1 shilling and 6 pence, the 22 mile train journey had a total of 500 passengers. Unfortunately, Thomas Cook collapsed in 2019, with thousands of flights cancelled and jobs lost. They do, however, still have a website which allows for customers to “package their own holiday”.

Facts about the travel and tourism industry- Accommodation

Below are a some of the most interesting facts about the travel and tourism industry, that may make you reconsider your accommodation options for your next trip!

Now more than ever, you have the option to spice up your choice of accommodation when you travel. These are just some examples of the unconventional Airbnb options now available to stay in, all over the world.

With prices starting at $100,000 per night , this suite is the most expensive in Vegas and one of the most expensive in the world. You might want to start saving for this one!

Vegas is home to approximately 161,593 hotel rooms, with this figure growing by 12,000 in 2020-2022. You’ll have plenty of hotel room options for your next trip to Vegas.

Ever had that sudden moment of realisation after checking out – you’ve left your charger! Well, if so, you aren’t alone. Followed by toiletries and clothing, phone chargers are the number one most common item left in hotel rooms. So next time you’re walking out of your hotel room for the last time, make sure to check that you haven’t forgotten your phone charger.

Facts about the travel and tourism industry- Types of tourism

One of the facts about the travel and tourism industry which you probably didn’t know is that there is over 150 different types of tourism . Lets take a deeper look at some of the most fascinating facts about the travel and tourism industry that relates to the different types of tourism.

As a whole, the tourism industry ranks as the top industry in the world by employment. In the UK, for example, approximately 1 in 10 people are working within the tourism industry. Whether you’re looking for a fast-paced job working in the sky or a quieter role on the ground, the tourism industry has a wide variety of positions to best suit you. Within these roles are also a diverse range of tourism types, read on to learn more!

Medical tourism refers to an individual(s) travelling to another country for health/ medical care. Studies have shown that China has seen a rapid increase in medical tourism, meaning more Chinese citizens are travelling abroad for some form of medical care. This is for a couple of reasons: Chinese are looking for a higher quality of healthcare; more Chinese can afford to pay the cost of travelling abroad for medical care.

Watch this video to learn more about the rise in medical tourism.

Out of all the different types of tourism out there, I can almost guarantee there are some unconventional types that you will be unaware of. I know I certainly was!

For example, slum tourism is where people choose to visit slums, and/or poverty stricken areas as part of tourism. Akin to this, flash packing is an interesting touristic concept which is essentially back packing without a budget, much like camping and glamping .

One of the newest facts about the travel and tourism industry is that, in recent years, trends and statistics have clearly shown that tourists are becoming more interested in dynamic package holidays , rather than the original, common package holiday. This is because tourists are becoming more aware of tailored packages and what the world has to offer, but also regular package holidays are no longer fulfilling everyone’s travel desires.

Special tourism , essentially tourism which is tailored to a specific interest, is also on the rise for the same reason.

Dental tourism refers to the process of travelling abroad to undergo some form of dental treatment.

Similarly to the previous facts about the travel and tourism industry, dental tourism has seen a rise in recent years, this is because people are researching to find out that dental treatment is often cheaper than in their country. For example, the cost of dental treatment in Budapest is 50-70% cheaper than in the UK, and approximately 500,000 of Budapests annual visitors are travelling to Hungary solely for some form of dental treatment.

Smart tourism refers to the innovation and proliferation of technology in a particular attraction, destination or tourists themselves. The capabilities of these technologies are increasing rapidly due to technological popularity and its constant innovations. Destinations are becoming smarter and attractions are becoming more appealing to tourists for their incredible technologies.

A great example of smart tourism would be Tui’s robotic humanoid, Pepper . Operating in Tui’s Stockholm office, Pepper is able to understand and reply in multiple languages – Pepper also offers a touchscreen featured to further enhance communication with its users. Incredible!

Controlled tourism, often as a result of overtourism , is the process of restricting tourist numbers in an area which is essentially experiencing too many visitors.

Overtourism is one of the facts about the travel and tourism industry which some people find surprising. However, without controlled tourism there can be negative implications to the environment and locals, making it particularly important for some destinations to limit their tourist numbers. Watch a video on overtourism here for more information.

Facts about the travel and tourism industry- Destinations

Below are some more facts about the travel and tourism industry, but more specifically about the incredible destinations all around the world and the facts about the travel and tourism industry that relate to them.

India’s trains transport approximately 23 million passengers a day

Believe it or not, but India ‘s trains transport around 23 million passengers every day, that’s around a third of the UK population! Many regular travellers on these trains are not willing to pay for accommodation expenses in big cities, such as Mumbai, and therefore choose to travel to and from work by train everyday.

This has got to be another one of my favourite facts about the travel and tourism industry! Saudi Arabia really has 0 rivers. Due to Saudi Arabia’s constant high temperatures and huge lack of annual rainfall, it is simply too hot for any rivers to exist due to the heat causing the rainfall to evaporate immediately.

With top speeds of 375 miles per hour, the Japanese Maglev bullet train is guaranteed to ensure you get to work on-time! Japan’s high speed railways have also had a total of 0 fatal incidents, labelling it one of the safest existing forms of travel. This bullet train has been labelled as ‘futuristic’, with some tourists visiting Japan to take a look at this super speedy train in-person.

Now this has got to be one of the most unbelievable facts about the travel and tourism industry in this article. Russia is not only the biggest country in the world, but is also big enough to fit the planet Pluto in its borders! NASA have precisely predicted that Pluto can in fact fit into Russia ‘s borders, however, despite popular belief, Pluto is in fact bigger than Russia. But hey, this has still got to be one of the most shocking facts about the travel and tourism industry.

Yearly reports have shown that France continues to be the most popular visitor destination, with visitor numbers as high as 90 million a year! The wide range of diverse visitor attractions are one of the main reasons why France is such a popular destination, with tourists visiting to see popular attractions like the Eiffel Tower.

Measuring at only 0.2 square miles, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. Nearly 120 times smaller than Manhattan. Nevertheless, approximately 17,000 people visit Vatican City everyday. The Vatican Museums are the most popular attraction and are the main reason why a lot of tourists choose to visit such a small country.

A huge 9% of Canada’s surface are lakes, making Canada the country with the most lakes in the world. As a result of this, Canada is a popular destination to visit for tourists looking for lake holidays, both inbound and domestic. Accessible by road, a lot of Canada’s lakes are used for water sports and are a hotspot for tourists.

Despite the country covering a total of 5 time zones, the whole of China actually operates on one time zone, Beijing. This is another great fact about the travel and tourism industry that I never knew until recently. Following one standard time, UTC+8:00, their daylight saving time hasn’t actually been observed since 1991.

Relative to my previous fact, France is actually the country which covers the most time zones in the world – a total of 12 time zones!

Due to their dependencies and overseas territories, France technically cover the most time zones, despite some territories being really far from the capital, Paris. This means that France even beat the biggest countries in the world , the USA and Russia, who each cover 11 time zones.

Section 486 of the municipal police code prohibits the feeding of pigeons in San Francisco. The state made the decision to make the feeding of any bird or wild animal illegal, this is because of the negative impacts which it has on the birds. By overfeeding the birds they are more likely to become dependent on humans and will lose their natural ability to forage for food. Violators of this law can be fined hundreds of dollars and cited – you’d better keep those bread crumbs to yourself next time you visit San Francisco.

The National Academy of Sciences released a study which suggested that Spanish is actually the happiest language in the world. After the analysis of around 100,000, used most frequently in the top 10 most popular languages in the world, the researchers were able to determine that Spanish used the most positive language. The top 5 happiest languages are as follows: Spanish; Brazilian; Portuguese; English; Indonesian.

In the US, time off is considered less of a right and more of a perk, making it the only developed country without a single paid holiday or vacation day. There is also no federal law which ensures paid family leave, one of the most shocking facts about the travel and tourism industry, particularly to Europeans.

I think it’s safe to say that shrimp is a popular dish in Las Vegas . This also equates to almost half of all the shrimp consumed in the US everyday. Shrimp is served almost everywhere in, restaurants, buffets, food stalls, and even coffee shops. This fact definitely came as a surprise to me and I’m left wondering how much is spent on shrimp in Las Vegas everyday?

Ever since 1994, dogs have been officially banned from Antarctica due to concern that they could spread a disease to the seals. Sled dogs haven’t been allowed in Antarctica since 1994 as a result of fears they would spread the disease, Canine distemper. This is a serious and viral illness which would threaten seals in Antarctica, eventually leading to the banning of dogs.

Facts about the travel and tourism industry- Attractions

Almost there! Below are 7 more fascinating facts about the travel and tourism industry and its awesome attractions.

The Trevi Fountain in Rome is one of their most famous attractions and is a definite tourist hotspot. It’s tradition that visitors toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain but why? Well, there is actually three popular reasons why people do this: to ensure a return trip to Rome ; to find love in Rome; to marry in Rome. However, for your wish to work you must make sure you throw the coin correctly. You should turn your back to the fountain, take the coin in your right hand and toss it over your left shoulder. Make sure to keep an extra coin in your pocket for your next trip to Rome’s Trevi Fountain – and good luck, of course!

As a result of the high temperatures in Paris over the summer, the size of the Eiffel Tower actually increases by 15cm. The 324 metre tall structure expands due to a phenomenon called thermal expansion, the result of material going through extreme changes in temperature. Nevertheless, the Eiffel Tower returns to its original height during the winter, as a result of the cooler temperatures.

The remarkable structure that is the Great Wall of China, having stood strong for over 2,300 years, was actually built on sticky rice! It was used to strengthen the structure as a form of binding material, combined with traditional mortar. The Great Wall of China isn’t the only building which is has been essentially ‘stuck together’ with sticky rice, and some of these structures are even strong enough to withstand earthquakes.

For some of my readers, I can imagine this will be one of the facts about the travel and tourism industry which excites you the most! A small municipality of Ortona, Caldari, is the home to a popular tourist attraction – a free wine fountain! Yes, it’s true, there is genuinely a wine fountain in Italy that is completely free to use, and you can go visit. So, next time you travel to Italy, make sure to book somewhere close to Caldari di Ortona (preferably within walking distance).

Another one of the great facts about the travel and tourism industry would be the misspelling of Pennsylvania on the famous Liberty Bell. It’s true, if you take a close look at the Liberty Bell you will notice that Pennsylvania is actually missing one “n”, and is in fact spelt “Pensylvania” instead.

In 2022, the Wonder of the Seas was listed as the biggest cruise ship in the world. With a gross tonnage of 236,857, this huge cruise ship features 18 decks, can accommodate up to 6,988 guests and has a total of 2,300 crew members. Owned by Royal Caribbean International, this cruise line also owns the second and third largest cruise ships in the world – the Symphony of the Seas and the Harmony of the Seas.

Some of the most interesting facts about the travel and tourism industry involve the most unusual attractions! Now, these are just a couple of the most unusual tourist attractions that I found, however, there are many more which you could explore.

The Temple of Rats, formally named the Karni Mata Temple, is located in India and is simply a temple that is full of rats. The temple is home to approximately 25,000 black rats and some white rats, and you can visit!

Another unusual attraction is the Island of the Dolls in Mexico. Similarly, everything this attraction offers is in the name. The original home of Don Julian Santana Barrera, a lone inhabitant, this attraction hails a tragic background story.

General facts about the travel and tourism industry

Here are my final five facts about the travel and tourism industry, keep reading for a some more great facts!

Research has shown that people are made happier spending their hard earned money on travel, rather than material goods. A psychology professor from Cornell University, Dr. Thomas Gilovich, has studied the subject and determined that people are actually made happier when spending money on experiences, rather than material goods. Travel really does make you happy!

Studies have also shown that taking a vacation can actually lower your risk of a heart disease. Not only does travelling have positive impacts on your physical health, but your mental health too. Travel has also be linked to the reduction of stress and an improved outlook on life. So go ahead, book that holiday, why not?

It doesn’t stop there, travelling has also been proven to promote creativity. Newly discovered research has shown that, as a result of a more positive mindset and outlook on life, travel can increase your creativity. So next time you hit a mental block, make sure to go ahead and book a vacation – the perfect excuse!

This is one of my favourite facts about the travel and tourism industry. Disney Parks are incredibly popular attractions, so how do their bins not overflow mid-day? Well, this is actually because the bins in Disney Parks have a vacuum at the bottom which, every 20 minutes, vacuum’s all of the rubbish through a pipe system at around 60mph. Another great fact about Disney Park bins is that you are never more than 30 feet away from a bin – no littering here!

Congratulations, you’ve reached the end of my ’50 fascinating facts about the travel and tourism industry’. I hope you enjoyed and don’t forget to leave a comment below if you know any facts about travel and tourism that I should include next time.

By the way- if you enjoyed this article outlining these fascinating facts about the travel and tourism industry, why not take a look at some more? I have recommended some below-

• 50 best jobs that allow you to travel the world
• The fascinating history of tourism
• 99 Exciting jobs in travel and tourism- the ultimate travel job list!
• What is a Travel Influencer? How to become a Travel Influencer

Liked this article? Click to share!

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

‘This coast is saturated’: Italian village braces for post-Ripley crowds

Netflix hit series based on Patricia Highsmith novel brings prospect of surge in visitors to Atrani area of Amalfi coast

When Andrew Scott’s eponymous character in the hit new Netflix series Ripley travels from Naples to the village of Atrani, the rickety bus has the road almost to itself; a solitary Vespa passes going the other way. When he tracks down Dickie Greenleaf at the beach, the rich American and his girlfriend are the only people sunbathing on the pristine sands.

Visitors to the Amalfi coast today will note the contrast. Unlike in 1961, the road between Positano and Salerno is now known as much for its traffic jams as for the views. Atrani may be less busy than its neighbour Amalfi, but in summer its beach is taken over by rows of umbrellas and sunbeds. A small area, perhaps a fifth of the space, is public spiaggia libera .

In the village, which has one four-star hotel and a few B&Bs and holiday lets, some businesses are pleased about the Netflix exposure. Antonio Buonocore, who runs the beachside restaurant Le Arcate, said: “The impeccable photography has certainly brought our little village extra publicity.”

But others worry how sustainable this will be. Antonella Florio, of Maison Escher apartments, said: “This coast is saturated with overtourism. If more visitors come because of the series, I sincerely hope they come in low season.”

Luisa Criscolo, property manager at Chiara’s House, agreed: “If tourism does grow, the risk is that it’s not managed intelligently. Our village can’t cope with huge numbers of tourists. Cars, buses and motorbikes leave the traffic paralysed. The authorities need to keep a decent amount of places open longer so some visits can be channelled to other times of year, and must also encourage use of waterborne transport, and offer more frequent services on smaller buses.”

In Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 book The Talented Mr Ripley, Greenleaf is living in fictional Mongibello. The TV crew switched to Atrani after searching the coast for a location to suit their black-and-white period style (inspired by the 2018 illustrated book Neorealismo: The New Image in Italy 1932-1960 ). The series’ production designer, David Gropman, told Netflix he loved Atrani’s “incredible geography … the relationship of the main square to the beach, all of those unbelievable paths, that maze of stairs and corridors”. These all help make early episodes visually arresting. “Su, su, su [up, up, up],” says post office operator Matteo, directing Tom Ripley up to Greenleaf’s house.

That opulent villa, however, is not actually in Atrani, but on the nearby island of Capri. Villa Torricella was built in 1902 in eclectic style – turrets, Moorish colonnades, pointed arches and twisted columns – for an earlier pair of American socialites, Kate Perry and Saidee Wolcott, who hid their gay relationship by portraying themselves as sisters.

The villa, whose onion-domed tower is easily spotted from the ferry, is privately owned, but a one-bedroom apartment with panoramic terrace and the gorgeous tiled floors Johnny Flynn as Dickie is seen pacing around on, is for rent on Airbnb from £189 a night. There is still some summer availability, and plenty in autumn, though this may soon change.

After Ripley was released, Airbnb said it had seen a 93% increase in bookings to the Atrani area, which includes Ravello, a larger town a few miles north-east.

Canny beachgoers can avoid the crowds, though. The London-based musician Adam McCulloch visited last October, taking a bus to Positano – “the beach was rammed” – then a ferry to Amalfi. “We left the crowds behind and walked to Atrani over hills via Torre dello Ziro. Up there, you see no one. After steep steps down to the village, we had a swim, and a drink at Bar Nettuno, then walked the coast road back to Amalfi.”

The makers of Ripley closed the centre of Atrani for a month in October 2021 to take it back to the early 60s, paying local businesses for the disruption. (A year later the cameras descended again for filming of The Equalizer 3, also starring Dakota Fanning , who plays Dickie’s girlfriend, Marge.)

Later in the Netflix series, Ripley’s misdeeds take him to Naples, Rome, Palermo and Venice. In each city, writer-director Steven Zaillian uses paintings by Caravaggio to mirror the 20th-century con artist’s descent into violence, and perhaps his repressed sexuality.

But Rome and Venice are no strangers to film crews or mass tourism. Atrani, permanent population of about 800, is braced for change.

• TV streaming
• Patricia Highsmith
• Andrew Scott
• Dakota Fanning

Most viewed

World Cup final coming in 2026. Here’s the latest on N.J.’s big plans to be ready for it.

T he announcement last month that MetLife Stadium and the New Jersey-New York region will host the World Cup final in 2026 brought jubilation. Now, the effort to secure eight World Cup matches in June 2026 and the prestigious final game on July 19, 2026 has moved to preparing for the huge event.

Representatives of the host committee, NJ Transit, state tourism and business community are working to create a seamless experience for 1 million fans expected to visit the New York-New Jersey region.

That work includes construction of seven buildings around the 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium, widening the soccer pitch to meet FIFA standards, creation of a new state tourism campaign and ensuring NJ Transit and the rest of the state transportation system is up to moving fans as well as daily users.

Officials doing that work discussed how the region is preparing for the international Mega event, during a Friday afternoon discussion held by the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce.

The numbers are staggering. The eight World Cup matches and finals to be played here during June and July are forecast to generate $2 billion in economic impact, more than 14,000 jobs and attract more than 1 million visitors, including fans and their guests, said Bruce Revman, host committee city manager for New York. South Jersey also could see a similar benefit from World Cup matches that will be played in Philadelphia.

The World Cup isn’t just about the eight games, but all the events and fan festivals leading up to it. Think Super Bowl XLVIII, but bigger. It also happens during the celebration of the U.S. Semiquincentennial or 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.

Gov. Phil Murphy laid the challenge down in a post-announcement interview.

“The huge story, if we do it right and I think we will, will be the build-up to the game (of soccer) and the legacy that will be measured in decades that this event will leave behind,” Murphy said.

That isn’t lost on business leaders and business owners in the towns around the stadium, as well as the host committee state tourism people and NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett.

Construction to meet FIFA requirements at MetLife

Work is underway to widen the soccer pitch to meet FIFA standards that call for a 68-meter wide by 110 meter long playing field, said Stephen Sansonese, MetLife Stadium senior director of facility operations and events.

That work also required designing rows of removable seating that can restored for other sports and events, Sanonese said.

Other alterations include working with FIFA to move the existing stadium perimeter and security screening to create room for fan experiences, sponsors facilities and other needed structures, he said. That work will be done by local companies and union workers, Sansonese said.

New N.J. ‘wow’ tourism campaign

Accompanying the World Cup announcement is a new state tourism slogan and campaign, “Little state, lotta wow.” It’s based on people’s reactions when learning more about the state beyond the Jersey shore and World Cup selection, said Jeff Vasser, New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism executive director.

“Everyone knows about the Jersey shore, but we’re the second fastest growing state for craft brewery,” Vasser said, rattling off other non-shore statistics. “We always heard, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that about New Jersey.’”

• RELATED: The inside story of how N.J. landed the World Cup final, the globe’s biggest sporting event

State tourism efforts want to make it easier for visitors and tour companies to plan an itinerary of places to see in the state when matches aren’t being played, he said. That includes working with Destination Marketing Organizations, such as the Meadowland Chamber and NYC & Co., he said.

“What a huge opportunity this state has for tourism. This is a great opportunity for all of us to show the world what New Jersey is and what a great place it is to visit , Vasser said. “It goes beyond just the time the World Cup is here.”

NJ Transit’s challenge

A lot depends on moving fans to and from what’s the equivalent of eight Super Bowl games at MetLife falls to NJ Transit. CEO Kevin Corbett highlighted the bounce back from 2014′s Super Bowl XLVIII embarrassment by the agency’s performance in moving thousands of fans to and from MetLife by rail; and bus for BTS K-Pop shows, the 2021 Army-Navy football game and most recently Taylor Swift’s three Eras Tour shows.

That helped sell FIFA on NJ Transit’s ability to handle mega events, Corbett said. NJ Transit is preparing for various contingencies, including bad weather that could send fans leaving early en masse, equipment breakdowns and timing the use of rain crews to make sure they don’t hit federal hours of service limits before the event ends.

“The reputation of NJ Transit will be made or thrown back in the mud if we don’t deliver,” he said to reporters after the event. “The next six months will be critical, after that it’s fleshing it out.”

The game days burden will be split between the existing Meadowlands rail line and the Transitway bus-rapid transit project under design. Transitway uses some existing infrastructure and a former rail right of way, taking buses out of traffic and away from other delay-causing incidents. It was selected for a faster delivery than a rail line that requires more environmental permits, he said.

Transitway construction is expected to start next year, and completed in spring 2026, Corbett said.

As soon as FIFA announced the site selection, NJ Transit officials conferred with the International Public Transport Association, he said. The US Department of Transportation has designated Felicia James Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy as World Cup point person, Corbett said.

Meanwhile, plans call for using trains of multilevel cars that hold more people on the Meadowlands rail line with back up trains in position, in addition to buses, Corbett said.

Besides the eight matches at MetLife, the agency also has to plan to move people to and from various World Cup fan festivals, including those scheduled at Liberty State Park in Jersey City and other locations.

“We need to get more definition of the fan festivals, they are more of a concern,” Corbett said. “There is no way we’ll drop the ball on the stadium (service). The corridors to the fan festivals are more susceptible to local traffic.”

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com .

Larry Higgs may be reached at [email protected] . Follow him on X @CommutingLarry

©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Destination Canada CEO Bets on New Promotion Fund, World Cup 2026

Dawit Habtemariam , Skift

April 11th, 2024 at 11:02 AM EDT

Canada's adapting to changes to its tourism sector and relationship with the Chinese market.

Dawit Habtemariam

Leaders of Travel: Skift C-Suite Series

What are the top trends impacting hotels, airlines, and online bookings? We speak to the executives shaping the future of travel.

The U.S., Britain, and other Western destinations are still waiting for Chinese group tours to return to their pre-pandemic levels. Canada, however, has been adapting to the continued absence of Chinese groups. The country has sought other sources of tourism growth, such as through its new fund to attract business events and its plans to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“There are some geopolitics going on right now that are having an impact on tourism,” said Destination Canada CEO and president Marsha Walden.

Canada last year surpassed its 2019 tourism revenue thanks to visitors from the U.S., Europe, Mexico, and Australia. It accomplished this feat despite disputes between the leaders of Canada and China souring relations. For over three years, China has banned travel agencies from selling group trips to Canada — traditionally a key tourism source.

In a wide-ranging interview, Destination Canada’s Walden spoke with Skift about a new tourism data project launching in May, a new fund to lure business events that the country launched last month, the country’s preparations for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and more. The interview has been edited for length and clarity .

Skift: What has been the pace of Canada’s post-pandemic international tourism recovery? 

Marsha Walden:  We’ve already fully recovered in terms of revenue, and we feel really good about that despite some areas of our overall market portfolio that haven’t been performing like they did pre-2019.

China is still missing. There are some geopolitics going on right now that are having an impact on tourism. We don’t have nearly the number of flights that we had from China. We’re currently not on China’s Approved Destination Status (ADS) list. 

That’s not to say that Chinese travelers can’t come to Canada. The ADS ban just prevents group travel from being sold into Canada.

But we’re not necessarily seeing that as a huge negative because it aligns more closely with how we see our strategy going forward, really focusing more on FIT [fully independent travelers] guests who not only have the propensity to spend more but who also experience our country in a different way that adds to our new strategy, which is inviting guests that can really contribute to the wealth and wellbeing of Canadians. The group travel business is less of a concern than it was pre-pandemic.

And despite that, we are still at 104% of revenues from 2019. That’s because we’ve had really good performance out of the U.S., Mexico,  parts of Europe, and Australia. 

Asia generally is taking a little longer to bounce back. Our Japanese and South Korean clients are a little slower to recover as well, but we’re expecting that will turn around in 2024 or 2025.

Getting Ready for the FIFA World Cup

Canada is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the U.S. and Mexico. A major challenge for the U.S. is getting visa wait times down so fans can attend the tournament. What does Canada need to do to make travel easier for World Cup fans?

We do, of course, have visa wait times, but they’re significantly lower than what the U.S. is experiencing right now. I have a lot of confidence that the government’s going to resolve these things prior to FIFA showing up. 

In fact, there are conversations going on between our two nations to streamline how we can make the experience for travelers who are going between countries for games the smoothest it could possibly be. 

What role will Destination Canada play in the World Cup?

The thing that I think is marvelous about FIFA is yes, the event draws millions of people to experience a country, but it’s really the other 4 billion eyeballs that you’ve got on your country and the opportunity to showcase the way you live, what it’s like to visit here.

It’s really the legacy impact over the next four to five years that I think is the most powerful part. From a tourism perspective, yes, it gives an initial nice lift and hit, but it’s that legacy that I think is something that we all work toward, is making sure that we’re just showcased in a way that makes Canada incredibly appealing.

Canada’s New Tourism Promotion Fund

LA Tourism CEO Adam Burke told me that Canada is one of the three names that come up repeatedly from his meetings with travel trade partners. What’s Canada doing to get such attention?

Canada’s partners across the country have really been investing in how to attract business events and reignite interest in [conferences] coming to Canada. They’re working together under our common banner too. Everything from being uniformly dressed to bringing a big contingent of cities to these events and having a slightly different strategy, I would say, than most destinations. 

Destination Canada focuses on what we call the sixth economic growth sector. We pursue businesses that also have significant economic potential for us as a nation beyond tourism. For instance, life sciences, agrotech [agricultural technology], and other areas where Canada wants to position itself in the greater economy are the areas where we help our industry secure events for the future. 

We just launched the International Convention Attraction Fund , and this is an investment by our federal government of 50 million [Canadian dollars] over three years to help secure events that may need an incentive to come to Canada. Our destinations can apply for up to a million dollars to help offset some of the costs of bringing a convention to Canada. 

Is this to help offset the slow recovery of business travel? During its lockdown, Canada lost some conventions and events to other destinations .

Every extra month of delay costs the industry some business. We did see a tremendous surge in re-bookings in the first two years of opening our borders once again. But we’re now at about below 80% of where we were in terms of overall delegates [attendees], and we don’t expect to fully recover for another couple of years, probably 2025. 

However, I think there are lots of things that we’re doing to help position ourselves and to become more competitive. One of which is we have 20 of our cities now participating in measuring their sustainability of events. We can offer events that are more attractive to corporate event producers on a sustainable basis and fully measure the impact of their event.

Celestial Tourism in Canada

Has there been a general rise in interest from international tourists to experience Canada’s celestial events?

Absolutely. There’s been tremendous interest in our Northern Lights product. In fact, a number of operators have said, look, we’re sold out through all of 2024 and 2025.

We also find that it’s a big draw for Japanese and South Korean clients. Last year, we had a big campaign around our Northern Lights. We did a takeover in Times Square of all the outdoor formats available there. 

Another popular niche product is “dark skies,” which are settings where there’s no light pollution and you get the full impact of the galaxy. We have dark sky preserves, many of which are in the northern parts of our provinces. 

Some Canadian Businesses Struggling

Last year, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada found more than half of Canada’s small-and-medium-sized businesses were struggling to pay back their loans to the government , causing a potential wave of shutdowns. Isn’t this a cause for concern?

The recovery has been uneven across the country. The government made significant investments to keep businesses alive. More than 80% of all loans offered by the government are now being repaid.

But for the 20% that were really impacted, those are the ones that are struggling to repay it and looking for extensions. Those government loans have already been extended twice. And so I think there certainly is concern. 

There were about 1.5% fewer tourism businesses in Canada in 2023 than in 2019, which speaks to the impact.

Normally, you’d see business growth. It is of concern, but is it devastating for our industry? No, we have a very healthy and vibrant industry.

But we are going through a period of turnover and change as some people just can’t survive carrying the debt load they had to take on to make it through the pandemic. 

A long-term challenge for Canada emphasized in Destination Canada’s industry report last year was not having the capacity to meet travel demand. With these businesses gone, this will make it even more difficult to deal with this challenge.

Of course it does. That’s why we’re trying to shift our marketing emphasis to ensure that people know that fall and winter are fantastic times to come to Canada as well. It doesn’t have to be all about summer, but we’re working as part of our strategy that we’re about to launch our 2030 strategy in May. 

We’re working with our “North Star partners,” which include all the provinces and territories and major cities and resorts across the province, to really define strategies that will help us attract investment and help us create the return on investment that businesses are seeking to bring their money to Canada.

What’s your new data project?

We’re about to launch our Canadian tourism data collective, something we’ve been working on for a couple of years. Parts of it will go public in mid-May. 

It’s a significant new intelligence platform that brings together statistics from Canada’s national stats agency, Parks Canada, and the private sector to give the most robust view of Canadian tourism that we’ve ever had, both on the demand side, so customer profiles, revenue visitation, all that typical stuff, occupancy. What’s the intensity of tourism in different locations? Where are the investment opportunities? 

It will also help governments at every level make good decisions about the value of tourism in their community because this goes down to a granularity that we’ve never had before. Every community can be looked at — I think it’s 4,000 communities or something in Canada.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: business events , business travel , canada , ceo interviews , china , corporate travel , international tourism , meetings and events , tourism , travel leaders

• You Are At:

Maldivian tourism body to hold roadshow in multiple Indian cities amid strained ties

Maldivian tourism body said they will hold roadshows in india to woo tourists back amid strain in india-maldives diplomatic ties..

The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), who met Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar in Male, said they intend to forge close collaboration with the Indian High Commission in the Maldives and also facilitate influencer and media familiarisation trips to once again bring back the tourism sector, which recently saw a significant dip. 

"In this trajectory, plans are currently underway to launch comprehensive road shows across key Indian cities and to facilitate influencer and media familiarisation trips to the Maldives in the upcoming months," a local media news outlet quoted a Maldivian tourism body as saying.

Further, while calling India a crucial tourist market for the Maldives, MATATO added that they look forward to partnering with prominent travel associations and industry stakeholders across India to further promote the Maldives as a premier travel destination.

It is pertinent to note that the Maldivian tourism ministry has indicated a significant drop in the number of Indian tourists visiting the country. Pertinently, this comes after a full-blown backlash the Maldives received after three of its officials extended derogatory remarks against PM Narendra Modi during his visit to the Lakshadweep Islands, situated on India's west coast, on January 6. 

The statement also triggered a wave of outrage, with prominent personalities across various fields in India calling for people to visit Lakshadweep instead of the Maldives.

Significantly, according to the statistics by the Maldives' Ministry of Tourism, there has been a significant drop in the number of Indian tourists visiting the country. This year, as of April 10, 37,417 Indian tourists visited the island nation. China (71,995) continued to lead the table, followed by the United Kingdom (66,999), Russia (66,803), Italy (61,379), and Germany (52,256). READ MORE |  PM Modi wishes Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Eid-ul-Fitr amid frosty relations

​READ MORE |  Maldives's ex-minister disdains Indian flag in latest 'India-out' campaign, apologises after outrage  

Read all the Breaking News Live on indiatvnews.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from World

• maldives govt
• india-maldives relations
• ministry of external affairs
• lakshadweep

Haryana: Gurugram schools may face disaffiliation if buses found unsafe for students

'What an impressive...', Priyanka Chopra gives shout-out to Dev Patel's Monkey Man on Instagram

LSG vs DC IPL 2024: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Kuldeep Yadav power Delhi Capitals to big win over Lucknow

Related World News

Iran likely to attack Israel in 48 hours as tensions escalate, claims report

Russia's foreign minister calls Taiwan 'integral part of China', Taipei slams 'false claims'

India issues travel advisory, advises citizens to avoid travel to Iran, Israel till further notice

China reacts to PM Modi's remarks, says 'great positive progress' made to resolve border dispute

US NSA Jake Sullivan to visit India next week; Indo-Pacific, tech cooperation on agenda

Latest News

Myanmar: India relocates staff from Sitwee as security situation remains precarious, issues advisory

Sandeshkhali: CBI gets 50 complaints of crimes against women, land grab on email ID on first day

Aaj Ki Baat: INDI alliance wants to make India powerless": PM Modi criticises CPI (M) manifesto calling for eliminating nuclear weapons

• Aap Ki Adalat
• Aaj Ki Baat
• Kurukshetra
• Haqiqat Kya Hai
• Entertainment

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: What’s holding back BJP in South India?

Jaati Ganit: Gandhi surname seat...new candidate yet repeat?

Haqiqat Kya Hai: Manifesto of anti-Modi...NO to atom bomb

Chunav 360: Today in Rajasthan, Modi told the dangerous plan of INDI Alliance..

• Maharashtra
• Uttar Pradesh
• Madhya Pradesh
• West Bengal
• Jammu & Kashmir
• Chhattisgarh

Aaj Ki Baat: Full episode, April 12, 2024

India TV poll: Should Rahul Gandhi follow Prashant Kishor's advice of stepping back from politics?

'They want to tease people, Mughal mindset': PM attacks Oppn over non-veg food, Tejashwi responds

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Sanjay Singh meets Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow, first after exit from Tihar

• Constituencies
• Key Candidates

Lok Sabha election: Kashmiri migrants in Jammu, Udhampur no longer required to fill ‘Form M’ to vote

Rajnath Singh attacks Congress in poll rally, gives dinosaur, ‘Big Boss’ references to party | WATCH

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Full list of Congress, DMK, RJD, SP, AAP and other INDIA candidates

PBKS vs RR Dream11 Prediction: IPL 2024 Match 27 fantasy team, captaincy picks, predicted playing XI

WATCH | Kuldeep Yadav shatters stumps with googly to dismiss Nicholas Pooran on golden duck

LSG vs DC IPL 2024 Highlights: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Kuldeep Yadav shine in Delhi's win over Lucknow

Why is Mayank Yadav not playing in LSG vs DC IPL 2024 clash?

• Celebrities

Amar Singh Chamkila Movie Review: Thought provoking analogy by Imtiaz Ali, Diljit Dosanjh delivers his best, kudos to Parineeti Chopra

Emraan Hashmi, Mallika Sherawat's REUNION after 20-year feud steals spotlight: How it all began

Aayush Sharma REVEALS secret behind physical transformation for Ruslaan

South Korean girl group Aespa member Winter undergoes surgery for THIS reason, agency confirms

• Live Scores
• Other Sports

FIA and Formula 1 announce calendar for 2025; Australian Grand Prix returns as season opener

CERT-In finds vulnerabilities in Microsoft products: Here's how to protect yourself

Google rollouts Android 15's first public beta: Check new features, availability

Who are these 7 Indian gamers who recently interacted with PM Modi

Meta introduces new tools to protect teens against sextortion, intimate image abuse

Infinix launches Note 40 Pro 5G, Note 40 Pro+ 5G in India: Check price, specifications, availability

Middle East on edge over Iran's possible retaliation against Israel: How it would impact oil prices?

Darjeeling, Bardhaman-Durgapur and Asansol: The curious case of BJP's SS Ahluwalia

In 2024, at least 11 Indian students either killed or died mysteriously in US I Here's a full list

How did a 660-tonne steel pendulum protect Taiwan's largest skyscraper during 7.4 earthquake?

Why are Japan, Taiwan and other countries in that region prone to frequent earthquakes?

Horoscope Today, April 12: Gemini needs to make new plans for business; know about other zodiac sign

Horoscope Today, April 11: New changes arising for Scorpions; know about other zodiac signs

Horoscope Today, April 10: Health related problems to end for Pisceans; know about other zodiac sign

Horoscope Today, April 9: Luck to misunderstanding for Leo; know about other zodiac signs

Horoscope Today, April 8: Carelessness to cost big for Taurus; know about other zodiac signs

Eating seafood frequently can increase the risk of 'forever chemicals' exposure, says study

Summer health concerns: Tips to prevent unpleasant leg cramps during hot weather

Parkinson’s Awareness Month 2024: Know the symptoms and various stages of this disease

Hospital sinks are more prone to multidrug-resistant bacteria, says study

Superfood Lychee: Know THESE 5 benefits of this Tropical Fruit

• Relationships

When is Poila Baishakh 2024? Know exact date, significance and more about the Bengali New Year

Happy Baisakhi 2024: Wishes, messages, images, WhatsApp status to share with your friends and family

When is Vishu 2024? Date, rituals, significance, celebration and more about the Malayalam New Year

When is Puthandu 2024? Date, rituals, significance, celebration and more about the Tamil New Year

Summer Is Here: What parents should be aware of kids' hydration during this season?

The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

From coachella to tomorrowland: inside the world of high-demand concert tourism.

From Coachella to Taylor Swift’s much-talked-about Singapore performance, travellers are paying big bucks to catch overseas concerts.

Billionaire’s Calendar

The swift effect, festivals over concerts, once-in-a-lifetime experience, read more news on.

What IndiGo’s coming USD1 billion profit milestone says about the industry.

As crude prices rise, should we worry about India’s strategic oil buffer?

This 16-year-old Rolex collector has tips even for veteran investors

Dimon says US stock exchanges have too few companies. India has a different problem

Will your flight be on time? This should help.

A Supreme Court judgement shines the spotlight on Delhi Metro and Anil Ambani

Find this comment offensive?

Choose your reason below and click on the Report button. This will alert our moderators to take action

Reason for reporting:

Your Reason has been Reported to the admin.

To post this comment you must

Log In/Connect with:

Fill in your details:

Will be displayed

Will not be displayed

Share this Comment:

Uh-oh this is an exclusive story available for selected readers only..

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Login using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

You’re reading this story from ET newspaper.

Unlock epaper & other members-only benefits., new financial year offer: flat 20% off, enjoy reading for special offer, your current plan does not offer access to newspaper articles, upgrade to unlock complete access to exclusive stories, epaper & all market tools..

Exclusive Economic Times Stories, Editorials & Expert opinion across 20+ sectors

Stock analysis. Market Research. Industry Trends on 4000+ Stocks

​Get 1 Year Complimentary Subscription of TOI+ worth Rs.799/-​

Stories you might be interested in

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

• A new global BCG study reveals that during the past two decades, only 26% of corporate transformations successfully created value in both the short and long terms.
• We highlight five truths about corporate transformation—and refute one lie that executives like to tell themselves.

BCG Henderson Institute Newsletter: Insights that are shaping business thinking.

Business Transformation

/ article, five truths (and one lie) about corporate transformation.

By  Martin Reeves ,  Christian Gruß ,  Kristy Ellmer ,  Adam Job ,  Gabe Bouslov , and  Paul Catchlove

Key Takeaways

In an era of technological advancements, geopolitical tensions, and economic turmoil, standing still is akin to moving backward. As the durability of competitive advantage has dwindled , the average tenure of companies on the S&P 500 index has more than halved since the late 1970s. 1 1 S. Patrick Viguerie, Ned Calder, and Brian Hindo, 2021 Corporate Longevity Forecast , May 2021, Innosight website. Notes: 1 S. Patrick Viguerie, Ned Calder, and Brian Hindo, 2021 Corporate Longevity Forecast , May 2021, Innosight website.

But changing with the times is difficult: A new global BCG study reveals that during the past two decades, only 26% of corporate transformations successfully created value in both the short and long terms. (See “ About Our Research .”)

So how can change leaders beat the odds? We use our empirical insights to highlight five truths about corporate transformation —and refute one lie that executives like to tell themselves.

Truth #1: You Can (and Should) Fix Things Before They Break

In transformations, timing matters: Pre-emptive transformations are initiated while total shareholder return (TSR) is in line with or ahead of industry averages. These transformations create significantly more value in the medium and long run (+2.7 percentage point TSR over a three-year horizon) than reactive transformations (initiated after TSR has already dipped below the peer group).

Transforming preemptively—before a performance gap has opened up—means transforming from a position of strength, subject to less pressure and scrutiny: leaders are empowered to focus on identifying options for future advantage , rather than on purely defensive moves, such as divestments.

Consider, for example, Microsoft’s remarkable trajectory over the past decade: After stagnating performance from 2009 to 2012, the company managed to achieve some momentum between 2012 and 2014 (achieving 36% annualized TSR). Not content with this recovery, Microsoft’s then-incoming CEO Satya Nadella made changes to lay the groundwork for future success: He oriented the company toward the new dominance of cloud , even though this trend had not yet damaged the bottom line. This move set Microsoft up to nearly triple its stock price in the first four years of Nadella’s tenure. Nevertheless, he announced yet another restructuring in 2018, setting up an AI division, which was soon bolstered by Microsoft’s early $1 billion investment in OpenAI. 2 2 Don Reisinger, “Microsoft Is About to Undergo a Major Reorganization: Here’s How It Breaks Down,” Fortune website, March 29, 2018. Notes: 2 Don Reisinger, “Microsoft Is About to Undergo a Major Reorganization: Here’s How It Breaks Down,” Fortune website, March 29, 2018. Today, Microsoft is the most valuable company in the world—illustrating how preemptive transformation with heavy investment allows sustaining performance in an evolving competitive environment and amid significant technology changes.

Truth #2: Leadership Will Make or Break Your Transformation

Microsoft’s story also highlights the importance of leadership. The firm’s successful transformations were not only driven by Nadella’s anticipation of future trends, but also his willingness to question and change the mental models and organizational structures that underlay the company’s historic success. For example, since the 2018 restructuring, Microsoft no longer has a division dedicated to its Windows operating system. Contrast this with Blockbuster’s leadership rejecting the opportunity to acquire a fledging Netflix, Swissair continuing to invest in its failing airline, or Kodak not embracing the digital photography technology it pioneered—and the importance of leadership commitment to change becomes crystal clear.

When leaders present an obstacle to change, their removal can improve transformation outcomes.

• Our data shows that a leadership change during a transformation is associated with a 4.1 percentage points higher TSR performance over the five-year time horizon (compared to the previous downturn period).
• The positive TSR impact is even higher (an additional 3.7 percentage points over the five-year period) if the new leadership comes from outside of the company.

However, a change in leadership is not a guaranteed success driver; it is also associated with a high variance in TSR outcomes. As such, this effect is less driven by the leader per se than by their willingness and commitment to making a change—particularly at a time when leadership engagement in transformations is on the decline . Consistent with this, we find that preemptive transformations—in which leaders act to fix things before they break, demonstrating their initiative and commitment—are associated with higher leadership stability than reactive ones (4.7 percentage point lower frequency of CEO change during the transformation period). Moreover, we know from other research that stability in leadership teams can also drive a company’s long-term growth potential.

Truth #3: You Cannot Cut Your Way to Greatness

Our analysis shows that, in the short term, investor expectations are the most significant driver of value creation in a transformation contributing more than two thirds of TSR outperformance over industry peers in the first year after a transformation is initiated. (See Exhibit 1). Efficiency improvements drive 13% of the outperformance, while the remaining factors (revenue growth and margin improvements) play even smaller roles.

As such, it is crucial for companies to craft a compelling transformation plan and narrative at the outset of their journey, and to define a clear communication agenda toward their shareholders. Moreover, firms must signal discipline and momentum by executing on quick wins for cost reductions.

In the long term (five years), value creation drivers are flipped, such that the lion’s share of TSR outperformance is driven by successful cost reductions (32%) and revenue growth (43%), while investor expectations play a smaller role (25%). This indicates that, in the long-term, execution is key, as investors will keep executives to their promises. Moreover, it shows that you cannot cut your way to greatness: differential growth is critical to sustained value creation .

Truth #4: Transformations Require a Long-Term Orientation

Achieving sustainable growth and a future-proof operating model requires entering transformations with a long-term orientation, rather than merely focusing on addressing performance woes or catching up to peers in terms of technology stack or organizational best practices.

Our data shows that having a long-term strategic orientation exhibits a strong positive impact on transformation performance, being associated with a 12.5 percentage points higher TSR impact over a five-year horizon. 3 3 Measured leveraging a proprietary algorithm that quantifies the strategic orientation of companies based on semantic patterns in 10-K filings. Notes: 3 Measured leveraging a proprietary algorithm that quantifies the strategic orientation of companies based on semantic patterns in 10-K filings. A long-term orientation can be achieved by creating an entrepreneurial culture, in which new ideas are constantly developed and leaders are willing to take chances on unproven models. To support a forward-orientation, companies need to complement traditional, backward-looking performance metrics with future-oriented ones. For example, 3M pioneered the New Product Vitality Index (NPVI), a metric that tracks the share of sales from products that didn’t exist five years ago.

Beyond mindset, culture, and metrics, a long-term orientation also means investing in the exploration of new ideas that could be the basis of future advantage: above industry-average R&D spending is associated with a 2.9 percentage point improvement in TSR performance over the course of a transformation.

Above industry-average capital expenditures are also linked to better transformation outcomes—to the tune of 3.7 percentage point TSR over a five-year horizon. This indicates that leaders must find the right balance between identifying new sources of growth and improving their existing model, for example, by upgrading production machinery. It also underlines that operational effectiveness needs to be tied not only to cuts, but also to selective investments.

Truth #5: You Cannot Make Things Up as You Go

Transformations are complex and require simultaneously delivering on several objectives—usually under immense pressure from the outside and inside. As a result, companies cannot make transformation up as they go.

Putting a formal transformation program in place—which we identify based on a combined analysis of corporate announcements and restructuring spend—has a positive impact (5.9 percentage points) on long-run TSR during transformation periods. Moreover, the scale of the program and the willingness to invest in change matter, with our results further showing a strong, positive correlation between above industry-average restructuring spend and TSR outcomes (+5.7 percentage points over five years).

Formalizing the transformation entails defining a clear governance and process—or setting up a dedicated transformation office—for coordinating and tracking progress on change initiatives, as well as regularly communicating it to the executive leadership team so that roadblocks can be addressed promptly. Moreover, it may mean putting in place a chief transformation officer to helm an ambitious change effort, which our prior research shows can improve transformation odds significantly. However, simply having a CTO on staff is not a panacea. The role must be designed appropriately and filled by someone who is persistent, vigilant, and flexible —and who is trained for the job.

A Lie: You Are Special—and These Insights Don’t Apply to You

The empirical patterns of transformation are quite stable: At any point in the past 20 years, roughly 30% of companies significantly underperformed their sector for a period of multiple years, making transformation a necessity for performance reasons. 4 4 Underperformance is identified as an annualized deterioration in TSR, relative to the company’s industry average, of 10 p.p. or more over a two-year period. Notes: 4 Underperformance is identified as an annualized deterioration in TSR, relative to the company’s industry average, of 10 p.p. or more over a two-year period. (See Exhibit 2.) However, successful transformations are the exception, rather than the norm, even when measured on very modest criteria. More than 70% of companies fail to outperform their industry peer group average in both the short (one year) and long term (five years), after a previous performance downturn period. These number are quite similar to the findings in our 2018 report—showing that while the world has changed significantly in the last few years, the challenges of keeping up with that change have remained remarkably persistent.

Just as crucially, these patterns are remarkably universal, with our data showing that no region, sector, or size group is an outlier on transformation need and success rates. The success factors of transformations discussed throughout this article also have directionally similar effects across all subgroups of our sample.

Put briefly: When it comes to transformations, no one is special. Change leaders have no reason to be overconfident, given that only half of the companies we studied employed more than two of the key success factors we identified. Sustainable value creation through transformation remains so rare. 5 5 This includes: above-industry average R&D spending, CapEx investments, or restructuring costs (each scaled by sales); a long-term strategic orientation; setting up a formalized change program; bringing in a new CEO, or even a new external CEO. Notes: 5 This includes: above-industry average R&D spending, CapEx investments, or restructuring costs (each scaled by sales); a long-term strategic orientation; setting up a formalized change program; bringing in a new CEO, or even a new external CEO.

About Our Research

This study is an extension of BCG’s earlier work, “ The Truth About Corporate Transformation ,” published in MIT Sloan Management Review . Here, we broadened the research to a global scope, updated to cover the recent period of enormous turbulence, and deepened the analysis of factors and segments. Our empirical study covers the period 2001 to 2022, with the sample including nearly 2,000 public companies from around the globe that generated at least $10 billion in revenue in 2022 or had a market capitalization of $10 billion at the end of that year. To identify transformations, we assess firms’ total shareholder returns (TSR) relative to their industry peers, as transformations are regularly initiated in reaction to performance downturns. We combine this with a predictive model, which leverages information from corporate announcements and data on restructuring spend to identify whether a formal transformation program has been set up. Depending on data availability across variables in a given analysis, our study covers between 1,000 and 2,000 transformations.

In an increasingly turbulent world, changing with the times is crucial—but the odds of success are slim. To beat them, change leaders must heed these truths about corporate transformations.

The BCG Henderson Institute is Boston Consulting Group’s strategy think tank, dedicated to exploring and developing valuable new insights from business, technology, and science by embracing the powerful technology of ideas. The Institute engages leaders in provocative discussion and experimentation to expand the boundaries of business theory and practice and to translate innovative ideas from within and beyond business. For more ideas and inspiration from the Institute, please visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) .

Managing Director & Senior Partner, Chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute

San Francisco - Bay Area

Managing Director & Partner

Strategy Lab Director, BCG Henderson Institute

Senior Director – BCG Transform

ABOUT BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP

Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholders—empowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact.

Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.

© Boston Consulting Group 2024. All rights reserved.

For information or permission to reprint, please contact BCG at [email protected] . To find the latest BCG content and register to receive e-alerts on this topic or others, please visit bcg.com . Follow Boston Consulting Group on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) .

UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

share this content

• Share this article on facebook
• Share this article on twitter
• Share this article on linkedin

Statistics of tourism

The United Nations recognizes the World Tourism Organization as the appropriate organization to collect, to analyse, to publish, to standardize and to improve the statistics of tourism, and to promote the integration of these statistics within the sphere of the United Nations system.

“Official statistics provide an indispensable element in the information system of a democratic society, serving the government, the economy and the public with data about the economic, demographic, social and environmental situation.”

Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics

The UNWTO Statistics Department is committed to developing tourism measurement for furthering knowledge of the sector, monitoring progress, evaluating impact, promoting results-focused management, and highlighting strategic issues for policy objectives. 

The department works towards advancing the methodological frameworks for measuring tourism and expanding its analytical potential, designs practical guidance for their implementation in countries, supports statistical strengthening in countries through capacity building, and compiles and disseminates tourism statistics of countries all over the world.

The United Nations recognizes the World Tourism Organization as the appropriate organization to collect, to analyses, to publish, to standardize and to improve the statistics of tourism , and to promote the integration of these statistics within the sphere of the United Nations system.

Tourism Statistics Database

UNWTO systematically gathers tourism statistics from countries and territories around the world into a vast database that constitutes the most comprehensive statistical information available on the tourism sector. 

COVID-19 AND TOURISM STATISTICS

With new situations emerging from the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, some clarifications need to be made to the UN statistical standards on tourism to maintain as far as possible data consistency and international comparability