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    Top Ten News of World Tourism Industry in 2015

    December 25, 2015
    Tourism News
    Top Ten News of World Tourism Industry in 2015

    BEIJING :The following are the top ten news of the World Tourism Industry in 2015 selected by China National Tourism Administration.

    1. Travel & Tourism Sector will Generate 10% of Global GDP and 9.5% of Total Employment in 2015. China’s Domestic Travels, Outbound Tourist Visits, Domestic Tourism Consumptions and Outbound Tourism Consumptions will All Rank Top of the World.

    WTTC estimates that the travel & tourism sector’s total contribution to the world economy in 2015 will be US$7.8 trillion or 10% of global GDP, and it will support 284 million jobs across the globe, 9.5% of total employment. (WTTC)

    China’s domestic travels will exceed 4 billion and outbound tourist visits will reach 120 million. China’s domestic travels, outbound tourist visits, domestic tourism consumptions and outbound tourism consumptions all rank top of the world. (National Tourism Data Center)

    Chinese tourists’ “Baku kaii” (literally meaning “explosive buying”) has become the buzzword of the year in Japan. (Japan Economy News)

    2. The 21st Session of the UNWTO General Assembly Held in Medellín, Colombia

    On September 14, with participation of more than 900 delegates from 120 countries, including over 70 Ministers and Secretaries of State, the 21st Session of the UNWTO General Assembly opened in Medellín, Colombia, in the presence of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. (UNWTO Website)

    3. United Nations Declares 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

    On December 4, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly has approved the adoption of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai expressed that it is a unique opportunity to advance the contribution of the tourism sector to the three pillars of sustainability – economic, social and environmental, while raising awareness of the true dimensions of a sector which is often undervalued. (UNWTO Website)

    4. Acting in Line With the Important Instructions of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Launching a Nationwide Revolution of Tourist Toilet in China

     As an important measure of the “515” strategy for promoting Chinese tourism development, the “tourist toilet revolution” launched by the CNTA has become a gigantic tourism infrastructure project, civility project and livelihood project in the urban-rural public service sector. In the three-year period from 2015 to 2017, 57,000 tourist toilets will be built, upgraded and expanded.

    5. The US Will Improve Visa and Entry Process to Promote Inbound Tourism

    At the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW travel industry conference in Orlando, USA, from May 30 to June 1, US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker said that the number of countries whose citizens can enter the USA for business or leisure travel visa-free for up to 90 days has grown to 38. In addition, the US would shorten the wait times of visa application, streamline entry process and renovate 17 airports. (USA Today)

    6. Spain Titled as the Most Competitive Country of Tourism 2014

    In May, World Economic Forum (WEF) released the latest Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report. Based on 14 indicators, Spain ranked No. 1 for the first time among 141 countries in terms of tourism competitiveness, followed by France, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom. Japan ranked the 9th, the highest of all Asian countries, while China moved up to No. 17 from No. 45 in 2012. (World Economic Forum)

    7. UNWTO Condemns Terrorist Attack that Impacted Tourism in France

    On November 13, terrorist attacks occurred in Paris and tourism in France was severely affected. One week after the attacks, the turnover of the catering industry and the hotel industry in Paris suffered a plunge of 30% and 26% respectively. According to Paris Île-de-France Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in following period of time, the hotel industry in France will see an overall drop of over 50%. (France Info, UNWTO)

    8. Vladimir Putin Signed a Decree for Sanction on Turkey Tourism Industry

    On the 28th, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to impose sanction on Turkey, banning all tourism agencies from handling any procedure for tours to Turkey and requiring government authorities to take measures to prohibit all chartered flights from and to Turkey. (Website of the Russian President)

    9. Ebola Outbreak Ends and Africa Expects to Boost Tourism

    As WHO declared that the Ebola outbreak in western Africa had ended, Sierra Leone and other western African countries opened their doors to tourists in the hope that tourism would help with their economic recovery. (Daily Telegraph)

    10. Chinese Government to Co-host the First World Conference on Tourism for Development in 2016

    The First World Conference on Tourism for Development, co-hosted by the Chinese government and UNWTO and organized by CNTA, will be held in Beijing, China on May18-21, 2016. Themed on “Tourism for Peace and Development”, the conference will focus its discussions on tourism for development, tourism for poverty alleviation, and tourism for peace. (Xinhua News Agency) Source: China National Tourism Administration Dec. 2015

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      China extends visa-free

      policy to UK, Canada

      China has decided to extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom starting Tuesday, when the Chinese New Year begins, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on , saying the move aims to further facilitate cross-border travel.

      According to the spokesperson, ordinary passport holders from the two countries can enter China without visa and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange and transit purposes.The policy will be effective until Dec 31.

      Air India Orders 30

      Boeing 737 MAX Jets

      Air India  has ordered 30 more fuel-efficient 737 MAX jets, expanding its Boeing order book to nearly 200 airplanes across the company’s single-aisle and widebody airplane families. Boeing and Air India  announced an order for 30 fuel-efficient 737 MAX jets at the annual Wings Airshow in Hyderabad.

      The airline finalized an incremental purchase of 20 737-8 jets this month and an order for 10 737-10 airplanes was previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website. Both purchases exercised existing options as Air India expands its route network to meet rising travel demand.

      Air India will operate the new 737-8s, leveraging their dispatch reliability, fuel efficiency and range flexibility on high-frequency, domestic and short-haul regional routes. The airline also plans to deploy the larger 737-10 to maintain operational commonality and carry more passengers at the lowest cost per seat among single-aisle aircraft.

      As Air India expands its fleet and network, Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook forecasts the Indian and South Asian region will need nearly 3,300 new airplanes over the next two decades with 90% of those single-aisle jets like the 737 MAX. ( February 2 , 2026 )

      WTTC chooses  Madrid

      for new Global Office

      London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that its Operating Committee has unanimously approved Madrid in Spain as the location for the organisation’s new Global Office.

      Five destinations expressed interest in hosting the Global Office – Dubai (UAE), France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland – with the evaluation criteria based on six areas: office rental and operating costs; the tax, incentives and competitive environment; fast-track visas and work permit frameworks in the destination; government support; cost of living to attract and retain talent; and proximity to international organisations.

      The decision to choose Madrid was endorsed by all 17 members of WTTC’s Operating Committee, following a comprehensive assessment of WTTC’s long-term strategic and operational needs. Members agreed that Madrid offered the most attractive option due to the city’s competitiveness, a more favourable tax environment, government support, easier visa processing for employees and overall lower operating costs. Challenges linked to Brexit, such as constraints on talent mobility, made the UK less attractive as WTTC wishes to further build its leadership position and become even more agile in the sector.

      Madrid was also selected for its strong international connectivity via Madrid-Barajas Airport, competitive business environment, incentives from government, synergies with international organisations in the sector such as UN Tourism and alignment with WTTC’s global mission. The new office will form a central part of WTTC’s worldwide network, supporting its highly-respected advocacy, research and member engagement activities across the globe.

      Bangkok named Asia’s best

      holiday destination for 2025

      Bangkok has been ranked as the best city to visit in Asia for 2025 by Smart Travel Asia, a leading digital travel magazine, based on the opinions of hundreds of thousands of travellers and readers worldwide.

      The city received the highest votes in the “Best Holiday Destination in Asia” category, retaining its top position for the second consecutive year.

      Smart Travel Asia highlighted Bangkok’s strengths as its 24-hour vibrancy and diverse experiences, including food, culture, shopping, and the friendliness of its people, describing it as a “city full of energy and colour, day and night.”

      The city’s dominance stems from several compelling factors. Bangkok has emerged as a paradise for food enthusiasts, offering everything from legendary street food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants and panoramic 360-degree rooftop bars. Its cultural and heritage sites, including the iconic Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho temples, remain major attractions to international tourists.

      Additionally, from luxury malls in the city centre to the Chatuchak weekend market, Bangkok caters to every type of shopper. Affordability and friendliness also play a key role, as Bangkok remains an accessible living cost destination where welcoming smiles continue to charm travellers.

      In the Smart Travel Asia 2025 rankings, Bali (Indonesia) and Tokyo (Japan) shared second place behind Bangkok, while Seoul (the Republic of Korea) and Luang Prabang (Laos) tied for fourth. Thailand further strengthened its tourism appeal with Chiang Mai placing third and Phuket sharing fifth place with Hong Kong (China).

      Having the three cities, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, in the top 10 highlights the diversity and appeal of Thailand’s tourism offerings for travellers worldwide. — VNA/VNS ( Oct.12, 2025)

      Gulf Cooperation Council Tourism 

      Dubai – As tourism destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) continue to grow, involving local communities in destination development has become increasingly vital for long-term success.

      Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims for 39.3 million visitors per year, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets 150 million domestic and international visits, emphasising how tourism is being established as a key element of economic diversification throughout the region.

      At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, industry leaders emphasised that sustainable revitalisation of destinations must align tourism investments with community partnerships, cultural authenticity, and immersive guest experiences to provide lasting value for both residents and visitors.

      During the session on “Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalisation” on the ATM 2025 Global Stage, experts shared insights into building resilience, enhancing local prosperity, and ensuring tourism growth is both inclusive and enduring.

      Arabian Travel Market 2025, held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”,  featured more than 200 speakers across three content stages and welcomes over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

      Messe Berlin India launched 

      to drive growth of ITB India 

      Messe Berlin announces the official launch of Messe Berlin India, a newly incorporated subsidiary that underscores the company’s long-term commitment to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Headquartered in Delhi , the new entity will serve as a strategic base for expanding ITB India and launching future projects tailored to the Indian market. With this establishment, Messe Berlin is reinforcing its vision of India as a regional hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable business growth within the exhibition and events industry.

      “Messe Berlin’s presence in India reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our international reach by being where the growth is. India is a key market for us — vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunities. With Messe Berlin India, we are laying down long-term foundations to build strong partnerships, support local industries, and elevate our global platforms,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin.

      ITB India, inaugurated in 2023, continues as the flagship event under the new subsidiary. Held annually, ITB India is a three-day B2B travel trade show and convention that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Indian market. Alongside MICE Show India, Travel Tech India, and the ITB India Conference, ITB India serves as a unique platform to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and capitalize on the fast-growing potential of the Indian and South Asian travel economies. The show hosts key players from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors. The upcoming edition, ITB India 2025, will take place from 2 – 4 September 2025  in Mumbai.

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

      👉Reducing poverty

      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

      World Tourism Day 2021: ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
      28.3% of global services exports)
      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
      investment)