Decision-making requires reliable information to guide sound policies and development strategies. In order to support countries in monitoring and better understanding the impact and evolution of tourism across their economies, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) systematically gathers tourism statistics from countries and territories around the world into a vast database that is used to produce two key statistical publications every year: the Compendium of Tourism Statistics and the Yearbook of Tourism Statistics. Together, these two publications constitute the most comprehensive statistical information available on the tourism sector.The UNWTO Compendium of Tourism Statistics provides data and indicators on inbound, outbound and domestic tourism, as well as on the number and types of tourism industries, the number of employees by tourism industry, and macroeconomic indicators related to international tourism. This is complemented by the Yearbook of Tourism Statistics which focuses specifically on data related to inbound tourism (total arrivals and overnight stays), broken down by country of origin.The statistics presented in the 2018 editions of the Compendium and the Yearbook give an insight into tourism’’s multiple facets and its ever-growing importance and are an indispensable reference for all tourism stakeholders. Above all, they provide decision makers with the information needed for more evidence-based policymaking and, as a result, more sustainable tourism development.
