By Donnabelle L. Gatdula, The Philippine Star

MANILA - Filipinos have been identified as one of the fastest growing travel spenders among emerging markets in 2013, data from the United Nations World Travel Organization (UNWTO) showed.

In a statement, UNWTO said the Philippines outbound expenditure last year grew 18 percent, second highest in the list of top travel spenders following Turkey, which registered a 24 percent growth.

Other emerging markets with substantial growth in outbound expenditure were Qatar (18 percent); Kuwait (15 percent); Indonesia, (15 percent); Ukraine (15 percent); and Brazil (14 percent).

UNWTO noted that international tourist arrivals grew five percent in 2013, reaching a record 1.08 billion arrivals, based on its latest World Tourism Barometer.

UNWTO said growth was realized despite global economic challenges.

These international tourism results were well above expectations, with an additional 52 million international tourists traveling the world in 2013, it said.

For 2014, UNWTO forecasts a four to five percent expansion, above the long term projections.

Demand for international tourism was strongest for destinations in Asia and the Pacific with growth of six percent; Africa, six percent and Europe, five percent.

The leading sub-regions were Southeast Asia, 10 percent; Central and Eastern Europe, seven percent; Southern and Mediterranean Europe, six percent; and North Africa, six percent.

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PH outbound travel spending notches 2nd fastest growth in 2013