MICE CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE

By Zuzana Adamson

The new statistics about tourist arrivals in Europe were announced at the well-known trade fair for Tourism and MICE named TOP Resa in Paris (September 29-October 2). Our media are attending the event and we share:

In the first half of 2015, the UNWTO reports that Europe, the most visited region in the world, led growth and increased international arrivals by 5 pour cent, benefiting from a weaker currency in the euro area. Growth was driven by the recovery in Central and Eastern Europe (+6 %), while Western Europe, Northern Europe and Southern Mediterranean Europe (each +5 %) all outgrew the worldwide average.

KEY STATISTICS FROM 2014 – UNWTO

Europe represents 51 pour cent of all global arrivals with 582 million international tourists, corresponding to an increase of 15 million (+3 pour cent), and with 41 pour cent of global revenues from international tourism, Europe recorded the highest increase in absolute numbers: a USD 17bn rise in 2014. Revenues increased 4 pour cent to USD 509 bn (383bn euros).

In Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+7 %), Greece registered an increase of 23 pour cent with 22 million arrivals. The Spain hosted 65 million international arrivals (+ 7 pour cent). Portugal (+12 pour cent), Malta (+ 7 %) and Croatia (+6 pour cent) progressed well. Italy and the Turkey posted 2 pour cent and 5 pour cent growth, respectively.

In Northern Europe (+6 pour cent), the United Kingdom, the busiest destination of this region saw a 5 pour cent increase in incomings. Iceland (+ 24 %) is approaching the one million arrivals.

Western Europe is progressing slowly (+ 2 %), particularly France, Luxembourg (+ 10 %), the Netherlands (+ 9 pour cent), Germany (+ 5 pour cent), Belgium (+ 4 %) reported significant increases.

Central and Eastern Europe (- 5 %) was the only sub-region in Europe and in the world to suffer a decline of arrivals in 2014 after three consecutive years of growth.