Tourism in 2000 released February 24, 2001
Feb 24, 2001

The number of tourists increased in 2000 by 7.4% and reached 698.3 million according to preliminary information released by the World Tourism Organisation. Over 60% of all tourist arrivals in 2000 chose Europe as their destination. However, the fastest growing tourism markets are in East Asia and the Pacific where tourist arrivals grew 14.5% percent last year, the second year in a row with double digit growth. Africa registered 26.9 million tourists in 2000, a slight increase of 400 thousand with respect to 1999.

France, which accounted for 25% of all tourist arrivals in Europe, continued to be the preferred destination of world travellers. The U.S. which registered and 8.5% growth rate in the number of tourist arrivals in 2000 was the second preferred destination. China followed by Mexico were the most visited developing countries last year.

Source: World Tourism Organisation