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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

Tourists walk out of Old Town in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

In 2011, travel and tourism generated $2 trillion globally - 2.8 per cent of the global GDP, which puts the industry ahead of such global forces as automotive manufacturing, according to a report released by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Let's see which regions attracted the most tourists in the world.

Source: CNN Money

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

Tourists ask a 'tuk tuk' taxi driver for directions along Khao San Road in Bangkok.

South East Asia

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 10 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 6 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 5 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

A French tourist walks past Buddhist religious flags at Namgyal Tsemo Gompa monastery in Leh.

South Asia

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 8 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 3 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 6 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

A man dressed as a friar jumps from a 10 metre (33ft) cliff in Lima, Peru.

South America

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 10 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 6 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 3 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

A family of Italian tourists walks their dogs in Croatia's northern Adriatic city of Pula, 270km south-west of Zagreb.

Central/Eastern Europe

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 8 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 4 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 2 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

A man walks in front of a cafe at Plaka tourist district in Athens.

Southern Europe/Mediterranean

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 8 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 4 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 2 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

Tourists take part in the reindeer safari at Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi, northern Finland.

Northern Europe

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 8 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 4 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 2 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

Toursits walk past the Orsay Museum in Paris.

Western Europe

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 5 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 4 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 2 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

A tourist poses in front of a statue of Bruce Lee on the Avenue of Stars along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in Hong Kong.

North East Asia

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 5 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 3 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

Two police officers walk amongst passing tourists in Times Square during a warm winter day in New York.

North America

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 5 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 5 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 6 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

Two women walk past a work by artists Bellotti and Rosewell, which is part of 'Sculpture by the Sea', near Bondi Beach, Sydney.

Oceania

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): -3 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 3 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 5 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

A tourist sits on Havana's seafront boulevard El Malecon, Cuba.

Carribbean

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 7 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 5 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 4 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

Tourists take pictures at the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo.

North Africa

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): -4 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 6 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

People shop at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.

Middle East

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): -4 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 5 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): -3 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

A lioness plays with her cub at the Lions Park near Johannesburg.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 4 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 3 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): -4 per cent

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South Asia among top tourist destinations

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 08:42 IST

Hot air balloons float above the Pyramid of the Sun of Teotihuacan outside Mexico City.

Central America

Growth in international tourists (2010-2011): 5 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 5 per cent

Contribution to GDP (2011): 2 per cent