2009 marked a significant decline in tourism activity, under the impact of the 2008-2009 global economic crisis and the uncertainty around the A(H1N1) pandemic. Following four years of strong, above-trend growth, international tourism suffered one of its toughest years in decades, reflected in significant declines in international tourist arrivals (-4%) and international tourism receipts (-6%). Recovery began half-way through the year in Asia and the Pacific and the Middle East, and was evident across other regions by the last quarter of the year, the only period to record positive growth in 2009.