By Donnabelle L. Gatdula, The Philippine Star<\/p>\n
MANILA - Filipinos have been identified as one of the fastest growing travel spenders among emerging markets in 2013, data from the United Nations World Travel Organization (UNWTO) showed. <\/p>\n
In a statement, UNWTO said the Philippines outbound expenditure last year grew 18 percent, second highest in the list of top travel spenders following Turkey, which registered a 24 percent growth. <\/p>\n
Other emerging markets with substantial growth in outbound expenditure were Qatar (18 percent); Kuwait (15 percent); Indonesia, (15 percent); Ukraine (15 percent); and Brazil (14 percent). <\/p>\n
UNWTO noted that international tourist arrivals grew five percent in 2013, reaching a record 1.08 billion arrivals, based on its latest World Tourism Barometer. <\/p>\n
UNWTO said growth was realized despite global economic challenges. <\/p>\n
These international tourism results were well above expectations, with an additional 52 million international tourists traveling the world in 2013, it said. <\/p>\n
For 2014, UNWTO forecasts a four to five percent expansion, above the long term projections. <\/p>\n
Demand for international tourism was strongest for destinations in Asia and the Pacific with growth of six percent; Africa, six percent and Europe, five percent. <\/p>\n
The leading sub-regions were Southeast Asia, 10 percent; Central and Eastern Europe, seven percent; Southern and Mediterranean Europe, six percent; and North Africa, six percent. <\/p>\n
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PH outbound travel spending notches 2nd fastest growth in 2013<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Donnabelle L. Gatdula, The Philippine Star MANILA - Filipinos have been identified as one of the fastest growing travel spenders among emerging markets in 2013, data from the United Nations World Travel Organization (UNWTO) showed. In a statement, UNWTO said the Philippines outbound expenditure last year grew 18 percent, second highest in the list of top travel spenders following Turkey, which registered a 24 percent growth. Continue reading