Destinations around the world witnessed an estimated 494 million visitors in the first six months of 2013, representing an increase of 5 percent or an additional 25 million international tourists compared to the same period of 2012, the UN agency said. Asia-Pacific region witnessed the highest growth of 6 percent, boosted by the increase in arrivals to South-East Asia, up by 12 percent, followed by Europe at 5 percent despite the lingering economic difficulties.

Africa saw 4 percent growth while the results were weaker than anticipated in the Americas where the arrivals grew by 2 percent, as South America and the Caribbean lagged behind.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, said the growth in arrivals reflects growing importance of tourism sector. "This underlines the need to rightly place tourism as one of the key pillars of socio-economic development, being a leading contributor to economic growth, exports and jobs," Rifai said.