International tourist arrivals set to pass 1bn this year by Cheap Flights Booker UK

International tourist arrivals are set to pass the 1bn mark this year, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

Visitor numbers across the globe increased by more than 4% last year to 980m and growth is set to continue in 2012.

Europe was the best-performing region in 2011, with a 6% rise in the number of people travelling to countries such as Spain, France and Germany, while South America (10%) was the leading sub-region.

Advanced economies achieved year-on-year growth of 5% in tourist arrivals, placing them ahead of emerging markets (3.8%), in contrast to previous years.

UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai noted that the travel and tourism industry set new records in 2011 despite the challenging economy and political unrest in regions such as the Middle East and north Africa.

"For a sector directly responsible for 5% of the world"s GDP, 6% of total exports and employing one out of every 12 people in advanced and emerging economies alike, these results are encouraging," he added.


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