COMCEC Tourism Outlook 2017
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different business models, some of which closely resemble traditional tourism activities, while
others appeal to users’ sense of community (OECD, 2016).
This rapid growth of the sharing economy is placing pressure on existing tourism policy
frameworks. This requires a balanced, informed approach, which considers all interests. Tourist
protection, safety and quality assurance frameworks are important factors to translate to the
sharing economy model. Taxing and regulation and impact on residents are other challenges to
be dealt by legislative bodies. Governments should make sure that they capture the opportunity
to stimulate innovation and support the development of tourism, while addressing the
challenges it poses for the traditional tourism sector and the impacts on society (OECD, 2016).
Governments are recommended to modernize policy and regulatory approaches, re-think policy
incentives, better understand the policy environment and test new approaches, utilize the data,
strengthen data collection and research on the impacts of the sharing economy on tourism and
local communities (OECD, 2016). Increased local planning, management and marketing of
destination and regional leadership and institutionalization in tourism through DMOs at
destination level also emerge as a necessity (Edgell, 2015).
Economic, social and environmental costs and benefits have to be balanced in order to ensure
the long-term sustainable development of tourism. Sustainable tourism development requires
the participation of all relevant stakeholders at the destination level including and engaging
particularly the locals.
3.2 International Tourist Arrivals
According to the UNWTO (2017a), international tourist arrivals grew 3.9% in 2016, equivalent
to 46 million more arrivals and reached to 1.235 million tourists. Despite occasional shocks,
international tourist arrivals have shown virtually uninterrupted growth – from 277 million in
1980 to 529 million in 1995 and 1.235 million in 2016 (UNWTO, 2017a). 2016 was the seventh
consecutive year of above-average growth in international tourism following the 2009 global
economic crisis. Despite ongoing geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges in
various regions of the world, demand continued to be strong in most of the destinations.
Tourism flows were influenced by three major factors in 2015 and 2016. These were
fluctuations in exchange rates, decline in the price of oil and other commodities which increased
disposable income in importing countries but weakened demand in exporting countries and
increased global concern about safety and security in some destinations (UNWTO, 2017a).
Growth is expected to continue in 2017 according to the 2016 level and will be above the
UNWTO’s long term projections (for 2030: +3.8% a year on average between 2010 and 2020).
International tourist arrivals grew by 6% between January and April 2017, meaning of 21
million more arrivals compared to same period of last year. UNWTO forecasts international
tourist arrivals to increase by 3% to 4% over the full year 2017 (UNWTO, 2017b). Arrivals to
Europe is expected to rise by 2-3%, Asia and the Pacific by 5-6%, Americas by 4-5%, Africa by
5-6% and Middle East by 2-5% in 2017.