Tourism and Climate Change, Risks and Opportunities

The rapid and sustained rise of tourism over the past 50 years is one of
the most remarkable phenomena of our time. The number of international
tourist arrivals has increased from 25 million in 1950 to 808 million
in 2005. International tourism represents approximately 7% of the
worldwide export of goods and services. For over 80% of countries
tourism is one of the top five export categories, and for around 40% of
countries it is the main source of foreign exchange earnings. The 11%
increase in global revenues generated annually by international tourist
arrivals is well above the rate of growth of the world economy