Understanding and quantifying mountain tourism

Despite the increasing popularity of mountain tourism, there remains a lack of comprehensive data on its size and its socioeconomic impacts. This study by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Mountain Partnership and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) aims to address the gap in our understanding of a sector that accounts for between 9% and 16% of all international tourist arrivals. The report identifies current trends and provides recommendations to advance data and evidence-based policies around mountain tourism. It also analyses the main drivers of mountain tourism development, most notably for generating economic benefits, creating opportunities for local communities and developing sustainable products.