MADRID, (AFP) - World tourism will stagnate in 2009 with numbers dropping by up to two percent as the economic downturn bites, the United Nations’ tourism agency said on Tuesday.

The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) “expects 2009 international tourism to be in a range of zero to two percent decline,” according to a statement released by its Madrid headquarters.

“Along with the Americas, Europe will be the most affected region in terms of overall tourism results as most of its source markets are already in or entering into recession,” the statement said.