March 4- Recent figures issued by the UN World Tourism Organisation show that Lebanon recorded the highest number of tourists — 39 per cent — coming to the country in 2009. Kenya came a close second with a 36.8 per cent increase recorded last year. Other countries that recorded an increase include Vanuatu 29.6 per cent, Myanmar 17.8 per cent, and Taiwan with 14.3 per cent.
The report showed that while globally, tourist arrivals fell by 4.3 per cent, Lebanon continued to receive visitors all through out last year. The UN organisation also foresaw an increase in tourist arrivals of 2010 in the Middle East by five to nine per cent.
The number of tourists to Lebanon stood at 1,332,551 in 2008 and rose to 1,851,081 in 2009. Arab tourists constituted 42.5 per cent of total visitors and were followed by visitors from Europe 24.5 per cent, Asia 14.3 per cent, America 12.6 per cent, Oceania with 3.5 per cent and Africa 2.3 per cent.
