International tourism is steadily gaining momentum following a challenging 2009. International tourist arrivals grew by seven per cent in the first two months of 2010 worldwide, according to the April Interim Update of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer. Growth was particularly strong in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. UNWTO forecasts international tourist arrivals to grow by three-four per cent in 2010. This follows the upturn already registered in the last quarter of 2009 when arrivals grew by two per cent after 14 consecutive months of negative results. Though data for March 2010 is still limited, countries with data already reported confirm that this positive trend is set to continue.

Growth was positive in all world regions during the first two months of 2010 led by Asia and the Pacific (+ ten per cent) and Africa (+ seven per cent). Information for the three countries of the Middle East that have reported results so far also point to a strong rebound in the region, though, compared to subdued first months of 2009.