Middle East tourism falls 6%

International tourist arrivals in the Middle East fell by 6 per cent last year but the decline was limited by positive growth in the second half.

International tourist arrivals in the Middle East fell by 6 per cent last year after a dismal performance in the first half, figures from the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) show. But the decline was limited by positive growth in the second half as the region, along with Asia, led the start of a global recovery. Globally, international tourist arrivals fell by an estimated 4 per cent last year to 880 million. This was better than expected as growth returned to worldwide tourism in the fourth quarter.

The UNWTO expects a rebound of between 3 and 4 per cent this year "after an exceptionally challenging 2009". "The global economic crisis, aggravated by the uncertainty around the H1N1 pandemic, turned 2009 into one of the toughest years for the tourism sector," said Taleb Rifai, the secretary general of UNWTO. "However, the results of recent months suggest that recovery is under way, and even somewhat earlier and at a stronger pace than initially expected."

The Middle East's fall was accentuated by the 18 per cent growth it experienced in 2008. International tourist arrivals shrank worldwide by 10 per cent, 7 per cent and 2 per cent in the first three quarters of last year respectively. Prospects may have improved, but this year will "still be a demanding year", the organisation said. "Although we expect growth to return in 2010, a premature withdrawal of these stimulus measures and the temptation to impose extra taxes may jeopardise the pace of rebound in tourism," said Mr Rifai.

"The sector can make a vital contribution to economic recovery, particularly as a primary vehicle for job creation and the transformation to the green economy. But to do so we need serious global policies that are supportive of tourism." Asia is expected to continue showing the strongest rebound, while Europe and the Americas are likely to recover at a more moderate pace, the UNWTO said. Last year, international tourist arrivals in Europe fell 6 per cent. There was a 2 per cent fall in Asia and the Pacific, and a 5 per cent fall in the Americas. Africa bucked the global trend with growth of 5 per cent.

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