International tourist arrivals grew by 4% in 2012, surpassing the 1 billion mark for the first time.
Based on the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, arrivals reached 1.035 billion last year and are forecast to increase by another 3% to 4% in 2013.
Releasing the figures this week, UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai said: "2012 saw continued economic volatility around the globe, particularly in the Eurozone, yet international tourism managed to stay on course.
"The sector has shown its capacity to adjust to the changing market conditions and, although at a slightly more modest rate, is expected to continue expanding in 2013.
International tourist arrivals to Europe, the most visited region in the world, were up by 3% to 535 million.
UNWTO said this was a very positive result in light of the economic situation and following a strong 6% rise in 2011.
Asia Pacific was the best performer with a 7% climb to 233 million international tourists while the Americas saw an increase of 4% to 162 million.
Africa recovered well from its setback in 2011 when arrivals declined 1% due largely to the negative results of North Africa. Arrivals to the region grew 6% reaching a new record of 52 million.
When it came to spending, receipts were up significantly in Hong Kong (China) (16%), the USA (10%), the UK (6%) and Germany (5%).
At the same time, a significant number of destinations around the world saw receipts from international tourism increase by 15% or more – Japan 37%, India and South Africa both 22%, Sweden and the Republic of Korea both 19%, Thailand 18% and Poland 16%.
Although the highest growth rates in expenditure abroad among the ten top markets came from emerging economies – China 42% and Russia 31% – important traditional source markets also showed particularly good results.
Despite economic pressures, the UK returned to growth with a 5% rise after two flat years, but France and Italy registered declines in travel expenditure of 7% and 2% respectively.
