新奇事件簿 美国旅游胜地地位不保

Spain is set to replace the USA as the world's second most popular tourist destination. This is according to statistics from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The number of international tourists arriving in Spain grew by over 7 per cent in 2017. Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy corroborated¹ the figures. He said the country had a record year in 2017, with more than 82 million international visitors. The growing number of international arrivals continues a growing trend. The figure for 2017 broke Spain's tourist arrival records for the fifth straight year. This is despite the terror attack on Barcelona in August, and demonstrations² and unrest in Spain's Catalonia region for independence.

西班牙取代美国成为世界第二受欢迎的旅游胜地。数据来源于联合国世界旅游组织（UNWTO）。2017年游览西班牙的国际游客数量增长超过7%。西班牙首相马里亚诺·拉霍伊(Mariano Rajoy)证实了该数据。他表示2017年游览西班牙的国际游客超过0.82亿人次，创造了最高纪录。国际游客数量呈继续增长趋势。2017年的数据连续第五年打破西班牙的游客抵达记录。虽然在8月份巴塞罗那遭遇恐怖袭击，而西班牙加泰罗尼亚地区也遭遇民众的要求独立游行。

There was an 8 per cent increase in tourism to Europe in 2017. The UNWTO said: "Led by Mediterranean³ destinations, Europe recorded extraordinary results for such a large and rather mature region." Africa is increasingly becoming an established and attractive destination and tourism there also went up by 8 per cent. Asia and the Pacific saw growth of 6 per cent, the Middle East recorded 5 per cent, and tourism to the Americas grew by 3 per cent. The UNWTO added: "International travel continues to grow strongly, consolidating⁴ the tourism sector⁵ as a key driver in economic development." France retained its position as the world's top tourist destination.

2017年欧洲旅游业增长8%。联合国世界旅游组织说道：“以地中海旅游胜地为首，欧洲之所以能够取得旅游记录的非凡成果都是由于这个广阔且相当成熟地区。”非洲正在逐步成为一个既定的宜游胜地，当地旅游业增长了8%。亚洲和太平洋地区增长6%、中东地区为5%，而美国旅游业则增长3%。联合国世界旅游组织还说道：“国际旅游持续增长强劲，巩固了旅游业作为经济发展关键动力的地位。”法国仍保持其世界最佳旅游目的地的地位。

1 corroborated   

v.证实，支持（某种说法、信仰、理论等）( corroborate的过去式 )

参考例句：

• The evidence was corroborated by two independent witnesses. 此证据由两名独立证人提供。
• Experiments have corroborated her predictions. 实验证实了她的预言。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

3 Mediterranean   

adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的

参考例句：

• The houses are Mediterranean in character.这些房子都属地中海风格。
• Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.直布罗陀是地中海的要冲。

4 consolidating   

v.（使）巩固， （使）加强( consolidate的现在分词 )；（使）合并

参考例句：

• These measures are meant for consolidating the system of basic medical care. 这些举措旨在夯实基层医疗体系，让老百姓看大病不必出远门。 来自互联网
• We are consolidating the Chinese and English versions of our homepage. 我们将为您提供中英文版本一起的主页。 来自互联网

5 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。