Tourism grows globally, despite security concerns

International tourism grew by 5 per cent in the first four months of this year as compared to the same period last year, despite insecurity in some parts of the world, the UN tourism body has said.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization, however, expects the sector to grow at a slower pace in the current year because of the economic crisis facing the world.

Fluctuation in tourism demand will be contingent on 'how the economy evolves and consumers react, both of which are directly interrelated to oil and food prices,' said UNWTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli.

The northern hemisphere's summer season, traditionally the busiest period of the year, will need to be followed closely, he said.

All of the world's subregions posted growth between January and April this year, with West Asia, North-East and South Asia and Central and South America witnessing highest rates of increase.

In the same period, countries such as China, Japan, Indonesia, Cuba, Jamaica, Sweden, Bulgaria, Israel, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco witnessed double-digit growth rates.