When a record 1 billion tourists choose holidays in 2012, Pacific and parts of Asia will attract the greater portion of them, forecasts World Tourism Organisation.

Emerging economies of the Pacific like Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and some of the other islands states with daily flight access were the large recipients of global tourists along with Asian spots like Indonesia and Hong Kong in 2011.

There was a move away from such problem spots in Africa and Middle East, where political upheavals occurred as in Egypt and Libya in 2011. Africa took a hit due to negative growth. Mother Nature’s fury was also felt in Japan, Christchurch in New Zealand, and Queensland in Australia. America was also up by 4% due to weak American currency.

WTO said 980 million tourists had their passports stamped for international travel in 2011, eclipsing the previous year by a phenomenal 6% growth. 

“And all signs point to crossing the billion-mark at immigration desks globally in 2012.”

The Chinese—awash with huge foreign reserves—and the Russians were the biggest spenders. Chinese travellers spent 38% more and Russians 21% more than in 2010. The WTO said the Pacific and parts of Asia will again dominate visitor arrivals in 2012 though the rate of growth will be slower than last year.

“Arrivals are expected to increase by 3% to 4%, reaching the historic one billion mark by the end of the year.

Emerging economies will regain the lead with stronger growth in Asia and the Pacific and Africa (4% to 6%), followed by the Americas and Europe (2% to 4%).  The Middle East (0% to 5%) is forecast to start to recover part of its losses from 2011.”