Global tourism is expected to fall or remain stagnant for the first time since 2003 due to the financial crisis, the UN's World Tourism Organisation said yesterday. The Middle East is forecasted to be the best-performing region this year, while Europe is expected to see the biggest downturn. The total number of tourist arrivals worldwide could fall by up to 2% this year, the UNWTO said in its World Tourism Barometer report, adding that the outlook was still unclear.