Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
16
Conclusion: Tourism and
Development
David J. Telfer and Richard Sharpley
A great deal has changed since this first edition of this topic was published in
2002. The tourism industry shows no signs of slowing down with the number
of international visitor arrivals surpassing the 1 billion mark in 2012.
Moreover, there is every indication that arrival figures will continue to increase.
Chinese travellers have not only risen to first place in terms of international
tourism expenditure, setting a record of US$102 billion in 2012, an increase
of 37% from 2011; in 2013, China finally overtook Germany as the country
generating the highest number of international tourists. Driven by rising dis-
posable incomes, the relaxation of restrictions on foreign travel as well as an
appreciating currency (UNWTO, 2013a), the increasing dominance of China
in international tourism is a reflection of the shifts occurring in the global
economy, with a number of countries possessing a growing middle class that
is increasingly travelling abroad. The continued development of low-cost air-
lines has allowed more people to travel much greater distances, opening up
new destinations that have never before experienced tourism. The market
share of international tourist arrivals in emerging economies has increased
from 30% in 1980 to 47% in 2012 and is forecasted to reach 57% by 2030,
equivalent to over 1 billion international arrivals (UNWTO, 2013a). Incre-
asing numbers of these travellers are booking their tickets online and posting
their pictures, comments and reviews on social media on devices that have
multiple functions, including cameras and internet access with global posi-
tioning systems (GPS). Advances in technology have also witnessed the intro-
duction of the first flight of the double-decker airliner A380 in 2005 and
cruise ships that can now accommodate in excess of 6000 passengers. At the
same time, however, the tourism industry is under increasing pressure to
adopt green technologies and participate in the 'Green Economy' (UNEP &
UNWTO, 2012).
During the last decade, of course, the global economy suffered a signifi-
cant shock when the global financial crisis of 2007-2008 shook the founda-
tions of the global market economy, subsequently leading to greater state
involvement. Developed countries in the European Union have been receiving
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