Increase in international tourism remained robust last year. According to the latest UN World Tourism Organization (WTO) Barometer on world tourism, international tourist arrivals grew by 4% in 2012, totalling 1.035 billion international tourist arrivals. Emerging economies (+4.1%) regained the lead over advanced economies (+3.6%). Growth is expected to continue in 2013 only slightly below the 2012 level (+3% to +4%), according to UNWTO forecasts. With 39 million more international tourists compared to the 2011 figure of 996 million, the number of international tourist arrivals went over the billion mark for the first time in 2012 (1.035 billion). The Asia-Pacific region had the best results with a 7% increase in international tourist arrivals. In Europe, the most visited area in the world, international tourist arrivals increased by 3%. The total number of arrivals reached 535 million, an increase of 17 million on 2011 figures. With 6 million more arrivals, the American continent (+4%) reached 162 million arrivals in total. Africa experienced a +6% increase and has therefore recovered from the 2011 fall (-1%). The Middle East is still experiencing a fall in numbers (-5%), which is, nevertheless, less than in 2011 (-7%). (IL/transl.fl)