Tourexpi
The report, which is based on data from fDi Markets, fDi Intelligence's
proprietary database of greenfield FDI projects, as well as international
tourism data from UNWTO, provides a broad overview of the ongoing investment
cycle in the tourism sector, breaking down investment figures by region,
segments and companies. Key findings include:
Both FDI project numbers and job creation rates in the tourism
cluster grew by 23% from 286 investments in 2021 to 352 in 2022. Job
creation in tourism FDI also increased by 23% over the same period, to an
estimated 36,400 in 2022.
The leading destination region for tourism FDI projects in 2022
was Western Europe with 143 announced investments at a combined
estimated value of $2.2bn.
The number of announced projects into the Asia-Pacific region increased
marginally by 2.4% to 42 projects in 2022.
The hotel and tourism sector accounted for almost two-thirds
of all projects in the tourism cluster between 2018 and 2022. FDI projects
increased by 25% from 2021 to 2022.
"Greenfield FDI into the tourism sector is showing signs of life
after all but vanishing in the pandemic years. With Covid–19 behind us, the
sector has no time to waste in addressing the biggest challenge of our times:
climate change and the resulting sustainability imperative," comments
Jacopo Dettoni, the editor of fDi Intelligence.
"To ensure the growth and competitiveness of the sector,
significant investments must be made in education and talent by upskilling the
professional workforce and implementing vocational and technical programmes.
Only in this way can we equip young people — of whom only 50% have completed
secondary education — with the knowledge and capabilities they need to thrive
in the sector. These investments will then pave the way for a skilled workforce
that can deliver exceptional growth, drive innovation and, by embracing digital
technologies, enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the tourism
sector," argues Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General.
"As the sector steers its course towards recovery and growth, UNWTO
now, more than ever, prioritises innovation, education and strategic
investments as the pillars for recalibrating and adapting to these
ever-evolving market dynamics. Spearheading a series of initiatives, we equip
the professional workforce with new skills through upskilling and vocational
workforce programmes, creating quality job opportunities, and raising average
wages across the entire tourism value chain," says Natalia Bayona,
executive director of the UNWTO.
The North America and Asia-Pacific regions each contribute three
companies to the top 10 investors list for tourism foreign direct investment
(FDI) between 2018 and 2022. The rest of the top 10 comprises companies from
Europe, with Spain-based Melia, UK-based Intercontinental Hotels Group,
France-based Accor and UK-based Selina all featuring.
Image Credit: © AA
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