AS per UN latest figures, international tourism rose five per cent in the first nine months of the year to reach a record 845 million worldwide.

The latest update from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that an estimated 41 million more tourists between January and September of this year went on the road than in the same period of 2012.

“International tourism continues to grow above expectations, supporting economic growth in both advanced and emerging economies and bringing much needed support to job creation, GDP and the balance of payments of many destinations” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

Among top travelers, the number of Russians traveling abroad grew by 29 per cent, while Chinese visitors increased by 22 per cent.

Meanwhile, travelers from developed countries took fewer trips. Canadian travel rose three per cent, while visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom and France increased by two percent. Germany reported zero growth, while Australia, Italy and Japan decreased overall.

In terms of destinations, travelers continued to flock to Europe which reported even stronger growth at six per cent, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, and Southern and Mediterranean Europe.

This growth exceeds the initial forecast for 2013 and is double the average growth rate of international tourism in Europe since 2000, according to UNWTO.