As per the WTB January 2015 edition, growth has been consistent throughout the year with most months
registering growth rates close to the annual average of 4.7%. Boosted by a late Easter holiday, the strongest
growth was observed during the month of April where a 10% increase was estimated compared with the same
month of 2013 and weakest was registered in March with just 1% growth.
Europe was the most visited region in 2014 with over half of world’s international tourists during the year.
International arrivals in Europe were up by a notable 4% during the year 2014, an increase of 22 million from
2013, reaching the total to 588 million in 2014. Northern Europe and Southern and Mediterranean Europe led
the growth from this region with 7% increase each.
Tourist arrivals in Asia and the Pacific increased by 5% in 2014 reaching a total of 263 million. Best performers
within the region were North-East Asia and South Asia with 7% increase each, for the year.
Americas welcomed additional 13 million tourists raising the total to 181 million at the end of the year 2014.
The growth rate (7%) registered from the region was driven by North America (8%) and the Caribbean (7%).
International arrivals in Africa increased by 2%. The region welcomed a total of 56 million international
arrivals in 2014.
Middle East attracted an additional 2 million arrivals bringing the total to 50 million with a growth rate of 4%.