27/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - Excellent tourist season. Despite the economic crisis, Europe remains one of the favourite destinations. International tourist arrivals in Europe grew by 5 % in the first half of 2013, with best results recorded in Central and Eastern Europe (+ 9 %) and Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+ 6 %). During the first six months of the year, Spain was still the most popular destination, followed by Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Greece and the UK, but eastern countries, such as Lithuania, Slovakia and Latvia, also recorded substantial growth (http://europa.eu/rapid/press_release_IP-13-878 ) (LC/transl.fl)