‎"World tourism has entered into a historically new phase of growth, which began three ‎years ago. In 2005, it broke through the barrier of 800 million international arrivals. Last ‎year, it reached 842 million. This new phase is characterized by a more solid and more ‎responsible type of growth", UNWTO Secretary-General, Francesco Frangialli, said ‎during his key note speech on the opening of the ITB international tourism fair in Berlin.‎‎

According to UNWTO figures, this increase represents over 20% growth in the span of ‎three years, equivalent to 150 million additional visitors. Africa registered the strongest ‎growth as it had also done in 2005. Asia-Pacific and Latin America also posted ‎outstanding results and the Middle East proved remarkably resilient in spite of the ‎upheavals being experienced by the region.‎‎

While Europe developed on target with world growth, Mr. Frangialli underscored the ‎positive results measured by international arrivals to Germany of nearly 10% in large ‎part thanks to the "Football World Cup effect". The German experience underscores ‎the positive link between sport and tourism, which is one of the reasons behind the ‎close relations between UNWTO and FIFA ahead of the South African World Cup ‎‎2010. Big sporting events can promote tourism, which in turn can be streamlined into ‎socio-economic development efforts.‎‎