The Middle East saw a one percent increase in international tourist arrivals in the first four months of 2012 compared to the same period last year. According to new figures released by United Nations World Tourism Organization, the region lagged global growth of five percent. The increase in tourism came despite continuing economic uncertainties in some of the major outbound markets, the UNWTO said in a statement. The Middle East lost five million tourists last year due to the impact of the Arab Spring. Tourism arrivals to the region slumped eight percent in 2011 but the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman still recorded "steady growth", UNWTO said previously. Its World Tourism Barometer added that prospects remained positive for the period May-August, the Northern Hemisphere's summer peak season, with around 415 million tourists expected to travel abroad. Between January and April 2012, international tourist arrivals worldwide totaled 285 million, 15 million more than in the same period of 2011. In the MENA region, Egypt - badly hit last year by political turmoil - was the star performer in the first four months of this year. The country's tourism numbers rose 28 percent compared to the same period last year. "It is very encouraging to see demand returning to countries such as Japan, Egypt and Tunisia. These are long standing tourism destinations ready to fully welcome back the millions of tourists that each year chose to visit them," said UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai. Saudigazette
