How tourism is the largest invisible export industry?

Tourism is considered the largest visible export industry, not invisible. Here's why:

Visible Exports:

Visible exports are physical goods or tangible commodities that are shipped from one country to another, such as cars, machinery, electronics, agricultural products, etc. These goods can be seen, touched, and traded, and their value can be easily recorded in official trade statistics.

Tourism Export Status:

Tourism, in contrast, is considered a "service" industry, not an export industry. Unlike physical goods, services are intangible and cannot be physically shipped across borders. Instead, tourism involves the movement of people, ideas, and experiences. When international tourists visit a country, they consume services within that country, such as accommodation, transportation, food and beverages, entertainment, and other tourism-related activities. The revenue generated from these services is recorded as a part of the country's service exports.

Significance of Tourism Revenue:

While tourism may not be classified as an invisible export industry, it still plays a crucial role in generating export earnings for a country. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimated that in 2019, travel and tourism contributed over $9 trillion (USD) to the global economy. This represents approximately 10.4% of the global GDP.

Overall, tourism is considered a major contributor to a country's economy, but it falls under the category of visible exports, not invisible exports. Visible exports are physical goods exported from one country to another, while tourism involves the movement of people and consumption of services within a country, generating revenue from service exports.