The European Commission pub­lished the European tourism strategy in June 2010. Coming in the wake of the financial and economic crisis, its aim was to maintain Europe as the world’s top tourist destination. The strategy proposed, among other initiatives to extend tourism seasons, diversify the offer and improve the professional skills of the tourism workforce.

Furthermore, earlier this year, the World Tourism Organisation cel­ebrated the 1 billionth tourist with World Tourism Day.

This document looks at the specifici­ties of tourism employment and at spending on tourism as important drivers of economic growth. Region­al distribution of tourist arrivals and divergences in the type of establish­ments that are most visited in each member state are also shown.

Finally, evolution in business trips and their spending during the crisis’ peak and changes in the number of overnight stays at regional level, are presented.

Read our Library Statistical Spotlight for more statistical data and graphical presentation