The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said yesterday tourism in the UAE grew 3% in the first four months of the year, bucking the global trend. However, tourist numbers in the Middle East dropped more than in any other region of the world. The UN groups World Tourism Barometer said tourism fell 18% between January 2009 and April 2009 compared to the same period last year, while tourism declined 8%.
In 2008 tourist arrivals in the Middle East grew more than in any other region at 18.2% compared to the prior year. A top official with UNWTO said “The Middle East is cooling down from a number of years of very fast growth.” Saudi Arabia was a big factor contributing to this years decline – tourist arrivals there dropped 60%.
