International tourism is set to return to growth during this year, according to predictions from The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

UNWTO revealed that global visitor arrivals are expected to increase by between three and four per cent in 2010, following a decline of 4% to 880 million last year when factors such as the economic crisis and the outbreak of the swine flu pandemic made it an exceptionally challenging period for tourism.

Figures for the final quarter of the year showed a two per cent rise in international tourist arrivals, suggesting the industry could be on the path to recovery.

Taleb Rifai, secretary general of the UNWTO, 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.”

Inbound tourist numbers decreased in all world regions except for Africa, which bucked the trend with a 5% increase in visitor numbers.

Croatia registered 10,750,318 tourist arrivals in 2009, a 3 per cent decline comparing to 2008, while overnight stays increased by 1 per cent to 58,980,813.

The number of foreign tourists increased by 1 per cent, with more visits registered from Ukraine, Japan, Austria, Poland, Italy and Germany. However, the number of tourists from Russia, USA, Hungary, Bosnia Herzegovina, Slovenia, Great Britain and France declined.