<p></p><p>Global travel grew nearly 4 percent over the first nine months of this year as compared to the same period last year, according to a new <a href="http://Global travel grew nearly 4 percent over the first nine months of this year as compared to the same period last year, according to a new UN report. "According to the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer (excerpt), all regions of the world except the Middle East saw increasing numbers of tourists," says the report. The Asia-Pacific region reported a 9.3 percent growth. Africa was next with 8.3 percent growth. The Americas grew by 4.4 percent, and Europe grew 1.6 percent. The Middle East was the only place where tourism arrivals were down. They fell 6.4 percent. "Tourism is one of the most resilient and fastest-growing economic sectors but it is also very sensitive to risks, both actual and perceived," said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, in a news release announcing the update. A strong demand for outbound travel around the world is driving up numbers. "Among the top five source markets, China, the world's top source market, continued to drive demand, with double-digit growth in spending (19 percent increase). Similarly, robust results also came from the United Kingdom (10 percent), the United States (9 percent), Germany (5 percent), and France (3 percent)," notes the report. The outlook for the rest of the year also remains positive. "The members of the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts are confident about the September-December period, mostly in Africa, the Americas and Asia and the Pacific," it said. For more on how tourism is growing and expanding around the world, read on here." target="_blank">UN report</a>. </p><p>"According to the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer (excerpt), all regions of the world except the Middle East saw increasing numbers of tourists," says the report. </p><p>The Asia-Pacific region reported a 9.3 percent growth. Africa was next with 8.3 percent growth. The Americas grew by 4.4 percent, and Europe grew 1.6 percent. The Middle East was the only place where tourism arrivals were down. They fell 6.4 percent. </p><p>"Tourism is one of the most resilient and fastest-growing economic sectors but it is also very sensitive to risks, both actual and perceived," said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, in a news release announcing the update.</p><p>A strong demand for outbound travel around the world is driving up numbers. </p><p>"Among the top five source markets, China, the world's top source market, continued to drive demand, with double-digit growth in spending (19 percent increase). Similarly, robust results also came from the United Kingdom (10 percent), the United States (9 percent), Germany (5 percent), and France (3 percent)," notes the report. </p><p>[READMORE]<strong>READ MORE: <a href="http://International Tourism Approaches Record Levels: What Can We Learn?" target="_blank">International Tourism Approaches Record Levels: What Can We Learn?</a></strong> [/READMORE] </p><p>The outlook for the rest of the year also remains positive. </p><p>"The members of the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts are confident about the September-December period, mostly in Africa, the Americas and Asia and the Pacific," it said.</p><p>For more on how tourism is growing and expanding around the world, read on <a href="http://Global travel grew nearly 4 percent over the first nine months of this year as compared to the same period last year, according to a new UN report. "According to the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer (excerpt), all regions of the world except the Middle East saw increasing numbers of tourists," says the report. The Asia-Pacific region reported a 9.3 percent growth. Africa was next with 8.3 percent growth. The Americas grew by 4.4 percent, and Europe grew 1.6 percent. The Middle East was the only place where tourism arrivals were down. They fell 6.4 percent. "Tourism is one of the most resilient and fastest-growing economic sectors but it is also very sensitive to risks, both actual and perceived," said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, in a news release announcing the update. A strong demand for outbound travel around the world is driving up numbers. "Among the top five source markets, China, the world's top source market, continued to drive demand, with double-digit growth in spending (19 percent increase). Similarly, robust results also came from the United Kingdom (10 percent), the United States (9 percent), Germany (5 percent), and France (3 percent)," notes the report. The outlook for the rest of the year also remains positive. "The members of the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts are confident about the September-December period, mostly in Africa, the Americas and Asia and the Pacific," it said. For more on how tourism is growing and expanding around the world, read on here." target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
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