Tourism has become a global leisure activity. In 2012 international tourist arrivals surpassed the milestone of 1 billion tourists globally for first time in the history. International tourism receipts (the travel item of the balance of payments) grew to US$1.03 trillion in 2011, corresponding to an increase in real terms of 3.8% from 2010. Also in 2012, China became the largest spender in international tourism globally with US$102 billion, surpassing Germany and United States. China and emerging markets significantly increase their spending over the past decade, with Russia and Brazil as other two noteworthy examples.

There has been an up-trend in tourism over the last few decades, especially in Europe, where international travel for short breaks is common. The developments in technology and transport infrastructure, such as jumbo jets, low-cost airlines and more accessible airports have made many types of tourism more affordable. On April 28, 2009 The Guardian noted that “the WHO estimates that up to 500,000 people are on planes at any time.” There have also been changes in lifestyle, for example some retirement-age people sustain year round tourism. This is facilitated by internet sales of tourist services. Some sites have now started to offer dynamic packaging, in which an inclusive price is quoted for a tailor-made package requested by the customer upon impulse