(VOVworld) - International tourist arrivals grew by 4.4% last year to reach almost 1.2 billion last year despite terror worries, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.

“Despite the many challenges Tourism continues to grow (…) We expect an average growth of 4 percent in 2016”, UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai said at a Press Conference at the Organization’s Headquarters in Madrid. Photo source: UNWTO

2015 marks the 6th consecutive year of above-average growth since the 2009 economic crisis.

In a report released on Monday, the UNWTO said by region, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific all recorded around 5% growth. In North Africa arrivals declined by 8%. A number of countries in this region like Tunisia are seriously suffering from terror attacks.

The robust performance of the sector is considered positive to the global economy because the hospitality industry has played an increasingly important role in job creation, trade and investment promotion, infrastructure development, and economic growth.