International tourist arrivals in the world increased by 7% during January and February 2010, compared to the same months of 2009. In January the growth was 7.2 percent, and in February 6.9%.The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported that, according to its latest barometer, this increase comes after the rebound that the industry had in the last quarter of 2009 when arrivals grew by 2%, presenting an encouraging outlook in the tourism industry, which is gaining momentum according to the statement issued by the UNWTO.
Asia Pacific was the region with the highest increase in tourists with 10%, followed by Africa with 7%, while for America and Europe the pace only reached 3%. In 2009 international tourist arrivals decreased by 4% in the world except in Africa. In the Americas the fall was 5% and in the Caribbean there was growth in the last four months of last year.
The nations that obtained the highest income from tourism in 2009 were the United States, Spain and China, the latter unseated France.
For 2010, UNWTO expects the Asia Pacific region to continue to record the largest rebound, while Europe and the Americas will recover moderately. Growth will return to the Middle East and Africa will maintain its good tourist momentum, which will improve thanks to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
UNWTO forecasts that international tourist arrivals will grow by between 3 and 4% this year (2010).
