In 2007 the number of international tourists hit a record 898 million: 52 million more than those in 2006, and an increase of 6 percent.
World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli held a press conference, at the headquarters in Madrid on January 29th; and released the 2007 report on the global tourism industry, as well as a future outlook on global tourism in 2008.
Frangialli said in 2007, emerging tourism markets and the tourism market of developed economies both witnessed growth; and in collaboration, promote new developments in the global tourism industry. Comparatively speaking, the emerging tourism market grew more rapidly.
According to figures released by Frangialli, in 2007, tourism in the Middle East increased by 13%; the Asia-Pacific region followed with a 10% increase; and Africa, the Americas and Europe followed with increases of 8%, 5%, and 4%.
While taking questions, Frangialli said that China's tourism industry has been developing very well. In 2007, the number of international tourists China received increased by nearly 10% over 2006. Meanwhile the number of China's outbound tourism also witnessed growth: in 2007 the number totaled 40 million, increasing by a large margin over 2006. It is estimated that by 2020, China's number of outbound tourists will increase to 1 million. The number of China's domestic tourists in 2007 reached more than 1.6 billion.
Frangialli is still optimistic about global tourism development in 2008. He said that although the United States' loan crisis and the rise in crude oil prices have affected confidence in the future of the world economy; the World Tourism Organization does not believe that the tourism industry will stop growing.
By People's Daily Online
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