## Step 3 - Reading

World Tourism Organization Annual Report
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency. The UNWTO is responsible for the promotion of 'good tourism': responsible, sustainable and for everybody.
First read these sentences.
Decide if you think the sentences are true (T) or false (F).
Think about your answer. You can compare with a classmate? Do you have the same or different ideas?

1. If there is a major international incident, people choose not to travel.
2. Over 1 billion tourists take an international trip every year.
   Do you think that is true? Where are they from?
3. Tourism supplies other industries.
4. Tourism contributes a lot of money to a country’s economy – for both developed and
   emerging economies.

World Tourism Association Annual Report

You are going to read a challenging text!
It's The Introduction to the World Tourism Association Annual Report 2014.
But to help you, first take a look at the vocabulary list.

| #### Vocabulary

Now read the text.

The top headlines of 2014 painted a challenging landscape. From sluggish economic growth and conflicts to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa – to all appearances, such circumstances were hardly favourable for tourism. Yet in spite of the many challenges the world faced in 2014, international tourism continued to propel ahead. At the year´s close, the number of tourists travelling internationally grew by 4.4%, reaching a new milestone of 1,135 million, and capping a five-year consecutive increase since the global economic crisis of 2009. Once again, these results have surpassed UNWTO´s long-term projection of 3.8% growth for the period 2010 to 2020, well on track to reach the projected 1.8 billion international tourists by the year 2030. With over 1.1 billion tourists taking an international trip every year, tourism continues to be an unstoppable force and a key driver of the global economic recovery. Yet tourism´s record growth is not merely absolute numbers. Tourism´s continued progress and expansion represents an effective solution for many of the world´s greatest challenges. Indeed, few sectors are as strategically positioned as tourism to contribute decisively to job creation, poverty alleviation, environmental protection and multicultural peace and understanding. Tourism´s increasing relevance on the development agenda comes at a critical turning point as we shift from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the new blueprint for global development. During this crucial time, sustainable tourism will be counted on to fulfil its role as an important player in achieving the ambitious goals of sustainable development, green growth and a more resilient global economy. Global challenges call for global solutions. Our commitment remains in advancing UNWTO´s mandate to promote tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and a global solution for a better future for the planet and its people. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General Source: World Tourism Association (UNWTO) Annual Report 2014