According to the UNWTO, international arrivals has been on an increased curve in 2013, with 12 million more international arrivals in Q1 2013 than Q1 2012.
The UNWTO has announced rapid growth in international tourism during the first four months of the year, as compared to last year; these findings are especially true of emerging markets.During Q1 2013, international tourist arrivals grew by 4.3%, from 286 million to 298 million. "The 4.3% growth in the number of international tourists crossing borders in the first months of 2013 confirms that tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of our times, contributing in a central manner to the economy of a growing number of countries", says UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.Predictably, in a breakdown by region, Asia-Pacific saw the strongest growth, up 6%. Europe (led by Central and Eastern Europe with +9%) and the Middle East followed to tie for second place with a 5% increase in each region. The next tier down was Africa with 2% growth, and the Americas in last place with only 1% growth, conveying the changing map of the hospitality industry.
