International tourism is set to return to a state of growth this year following an “exceptionally challenging” 2009, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

The UNWTO revealed that the economic crisis and the outbreak of the swine flu pandemic led to international visitor arrivals falling by four per cent to 880 million last year.

Inbound tourist numbers decreased in all world regions except for Africa, which bucked the trend with an increase of five per cent in arrivals.

Europe and the Middle East were hit hardest by the decline. They recorded a 6 per cent drop in arrivals. Central, eastern and northern Europe were particularly affected. Montenegro was one of the destinations reporting positive results.

The UNWTO revealed that tourism decreased by ten per cent, seven per cent and two per cent in the first three quarters of 2009, followed by an upturn of two per cent in the final three months of the year.

Following this recent return to growth, the organisation expects international tourism figures to rise by between three and four per cent in 2010.

Secretary general Taleb Rifai said: “The global economic crisis aggravated by the uncertainty around the A(H1N1) pandemic turned 2009 into one of the toughest years for the tourism sector.

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