Courtesy of Miami International Airport
Sometime, somewhere today, Dec. 13, the one-billionth traveler so far this year is forecast to cross a border and set a record for international tourism in a single year, according to the U.N. World Tourism Organization.
No one knows where it will happen. It could be a passenger flying from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airportto the Caribbean, a South American executive visiting Miami or a Bahamian taking a cruise into the Port of Palm Beach for holiday shopping in nearby malls.
But never before has tourism beeen so large on a world scale: International tourism now accounts for one in every 12 jobs, 30 percent of the world’s services exports and about 9 percent of the world’s economy, the group said.
China’ expanding middle class is driving the growth of world travel this year. The total number of travelers crossing national borders worldwide should rise 3.5 percent to 4 percent for the year, according to the U.N. agency.
To maximize the impact of world travel on host countries, the group suggests travelers: Buy local – purchasing local crafts. arts and souvenirs, hiring local guides and trying local restaurants; and Respect the local culture – learning about local traditions and learning at least a few words in the local language.
In South Florida, international tourism accounts for about half of overnight visitors in Miami-Dade, more than 25 percent in Broward and more than 10 percent in Palm Beach counties, tourism bureaus have estimated.
