World tourism fell 4% in 2009 as global issues took their toll.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has blamed the swine flu pandemic and the world economic crisis for the drop in worldwide tourism for 2009.

The UNWTO’s Tourism Barometer revealed that international tourist levels fell by around 4% in 2009 to 880 million, 2% lower than original forecasts due to a surprise upturn in the final quarter.

Tourism levels showed their biggest fall in Europe and the Middle East which both fell by 6% compared to 2008. Asia and the Pacific saw a 3% growth in the second half of the year to report a drop of just 2%

“The global economic crisis aggravated by the uncertainty around the A(H1N1) pandemic (swine flu) turned 2009 into one of the toughest years for the tourism sector,” commented Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General.

The America’s were the hardest hit by the swine flu pandemic as tourism fell by 5%, despite the Caribbean showing continued growth.

“However, the results of recent months suggest that recovery is underway, and even somewhat earlier and at a stronger pace than initially expected,” Mr Rifai added.

By comparison Africa showed the most resilience and was the only continent to experience uplift in tourism. The UNWTO says this has been helped in part by the forthcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) told the AFP news agency: “The World Cup is certainly the most exciting thing to happen to Africa, not just southern Africa, all Africans are very proud that it’s going to be there.”

Industry experts have also suggested that Africa has also benefitted from the “Obama effect” – as the US President celebrates his African heritage. 

The UNWTO said that despite the general downward trend, some countries including China, Brazil and Spain fared reasonably well. With the support of specific government measures, the domestic trend in the aforementioned helped to partially offset the international decline.

The latest research from the Office of National Statistics about UK tourism revealed that the three months to November 2009 experienced an 8% rise 8% in people visiting the UK for holiday purposes compared to the same period in 2008, showing a growing confidence in holidaymakers.