International tourist arrivals are on track to reach the 1 billion mark in 2012, according to the newest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Global tourism grew by 4.4 percent in 2011 to a total 980 million, up from 939 million in 2010, despite economic and political turmoil. Tourism figures by region include:
Europe reached 503 million tourists in 2011, accounting for 28 million of the 41 million additional international arrivals recorded worldwide. Central and Eastern Europe and Southern Mediterranean destinations (+8 percent each) experienced the best results. Although part of the growth in Southern Mediterranean Europe resulted from a shift in traffic away from the Middle East and North Africa, destinations in the Mediterranean also profited from improved outbound flows from markets such as Scandinavia, Germany and the Russian Federation.
Asia and the Pacific (+6 percent) was up 11 million arrivals in 2011, reaching a total 216 million international tourists. South Asia and Southeast Asia (both +9 percent) benefited from strong intraregional demand, while growth was comparatively weaker in Northeast Asia (+4 percent) and Oceania (+0.3 percent), partly due to the temporary decline in the Japanese outbound market.
The Americas (+4 percent) saw an increase of 6 million arrivals, reaching 156 million in total. South America, up by 10 percent for the second consecutive year, continued to lead growth. Central America and the Caribbean (both +4 percent) maintained the growth rates of 2010. North America, with a 3 percent increase, hit the 100 million tourists mark in 2011.
Africa maintained international arrivals at 50 million, as the gain of 2 million by Sub-Saharan destinations (+7 percent) was offset by the losses in North Africa (-12 percent). The Middle East (-8 percent) lost an estimated 5 million international tourist arrivals, totaling 55 million. Nevertheless, some destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates sustained steady growth.
