UNWTO Elibrary

The UNWTO Elibrary is an online service from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with a broad coverage of tourism and related subject areas.

The UNWTO Elibrary is an information source offering an unparalleled coverage of research and information in the area of tourism and available to our Member States, Affiliate Members, subscribers and general public.

The subject areas reflect all important themes moving the tourism sector and include, among others, ecotourism and sustainable development, tourism statistics, market research, innovation and new technologies and tourism policies. The UNWTO Elibrary contains books, journals and statistical reports by country and by indicator.

‘Overtourism’? Understanding and Managing Urban Tourism Growth beyond Perceptions Volume 2: Case Studies

Released: March 2019

This second volume includes 18 case studies across the Americas, Asia and the Pacific and Europe – Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona, Berlin, Besalú, Cambridge, Dubrovnik, Edinburgh, Ghent, Hangzhou, London, Lucerne, Macao (China), New York, Lisbon, Seoul, Porto, Prague and Venice – on how cities are implementing the following eleven strategies (...).

The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road – Tourism Opportunities and Impacts

Released: February 2019

The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is a key component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and, as such, can play a crucial role in the development of maritime infrastructure throughout Asia and the Pacific in the coming years. This report, developed with the kind support of Sunny International, looks into the overall impacts of the Maritime Silk Road on tourism (...).

Walking Tourism – Promoting Regional Development

Released: January 2019

Walking tourism is now one of the most popular ways to experience a destination. It allows tourists to better engage with local people, nature and culture. It also meets the growing demand of travellers of outdoor activities in general, including when they travel. Walking tourism can be developed anywhere as a sustainable tourism offer with a relatively small investment. It can bring about social and economic benefits to residents and communities if properly developed and managed (...).

Compendium of Tourism Statistics, Data 2013 – 2017, 2019 Edition

Released: January 2019

Statistical information on tourism’s multiple facets is pivotal in advancing knowledge of the sector, monitoring progress, promoting results-focused management, and highlighting strategic issues for policy decisions. Deriving from the most comprehensive statistical database available on the tourism sector, the Compendium of Tourism Statistics provides statistical data and indicators on inbound, outbound and domestic tourism (...).

Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Data 2013 – 2017, 2019 Edition

Released: January 2019

Understanding, for each country, where its inbound tourism is generated is essential for analysing international tourism flows and devising marketing strategies, such as those related to the positioning of national markets abroad. Deriving from the most comprehensive statistical database available on the tourism sector, the Yearbook of Tourism Statistics focuses on data related to inbound tourism (total arrivals and overnight stays), broken down by country of origin (...).

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer and Statistical Annex, January 2019

Released: January 2019

2018: International tourist arrivals worldwide reach 1.4 billion two years ahead of forecasts. International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) worldwide increased 6% in 2018 to 1.4 billion, based on data reported by destinations around the world. 2018 consolidates the very strong results of 2017 (+7%) and is the second strongest year since 2010 (...).

Exploring Health Tourism

Released: December 2018

The ETC/UNWTO publication on Exploring Health Tourism aims to provide a better understanding of the growing segment of wellness and medical tourism. The study introduces the evolution of health-related tourism products and services from all around the world and provides insights into the current situation of the industry, as well as the future potential. It also includes a comprehensive taxonomy that serves as a common reference (...)

Sustainable Mountain Tourism – Opportunities for Local Communities

Released: December 2018

Recognizing the potential of mountain tourism for driving the socioeconomic growth and development of local communities, this publication presents a summary of the information generated at UNWTO’s mountain tourism events (i.e. World Congress on Snow and Mountain and Euro-Asian Mountain Tourism Conference), including a systematic definition of mountain tourism (...)

UNWTO Regional Seminar on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism Development – Final Report, Nadi, Fiji, 18 – 20 June 2018

Released: November 2018

This report comprises a summary of the proceedings and the presentations made during the UNWTO Regional Seminar on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism Development. The event was held within the framework of the 30th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the UNWTO Commission for South Asia in Nadi, Fiji, from 18 to 20 June 2018 (...)

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Outbound Travel Market with Special Focus on Europe as a Tourism Destination

Released: November 2018

The ETC/UNWTO publication on The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Outbound Travel Market with Special Focus on Europe as a Tourism Destination provides a thorough analysis on the current and potential performance of the GCC outbound travel market, comprising six countries. The report also provides in-depth insight into the three main markets, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait (...).

UNWTO/GTERC Asia Tourism Trends – 2018 Edition

Released: October 2018

The UNWTO/GTERC Asia Tourism Trends – 2018 Edition, the fifth annual report in the series, highlights the rapidly growing tourism sector in Asia and the Pacific. In recognition of the European Union-China Tourism Year 2018, one chapter examines the international tourism flows between China, the largest Asian economy, and the 28 countries of the European Union. The present edition also features a chapter on the Greater Bay Area, (...)

‘Overtourism’? – Understanding and Managing Urban Tourism Growth beyond Perceptions

Released: September 2018

The management of tourism flows in cities to the benefit of visitors and residents alike is a fundamental issue for the tourism sector. It is critical to understand residents’ attitude towards tourism to ensure the development of successful sustainable tourism strategies. This report analyzes the perception of residents towards tourism in eight European cities (...).

Tourism for Development – Volume I: Key Areas for Action

Released: June 2018

How can tourism effectively contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development? This flagship report addresses the changes needed in policies, business practices and consumer behaviour. Showcased along 23 case studies from around the world, this two-volume report examines the role of tourism in each of the five pillars of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, 2017 (...).

Tourism for Development – Volume II: Good Practices

Released: June 2018

UNWTO/WTCF City Tourism Performance Research

Released: February 2018

The UNWTO/WTCF City Tourism Performance Research brings forward the success stories of 15 different cities worldwide with the objective of enabling other cities to observe and learn from them. The research also includes a summary of UNWTO’s report on New Platform Tourism Services (or the so-called Sharing Economy), considering the impact of the same in urban tourism and development overall.