The number of overseas stay-over tourists in the world reached 898 million in 2007, up 6 percent over that in 2006, the Madrid-based United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said Tuesday.

"The year 2007 exceeded expectations for international tourism with arrivals reaching new record figures" of 898 million, up 52 million, or 6.2 percent, over 2006, the body said in its annual report.

It attributed the performance to sustained global economic growth and emerging tourism markets.

Europe remains as the number one tourist destination with 480 million tourist arrivals, accounting for half of the total, followed by the Asia-Pacific region with 185 million, and America with 142 million, the UNWTO said .

France and Spain continue to be two largest arrival destinations and China put in "an excellent performance as always, with an increase of around 10 percent," UNWTO Secretary General Francesco Frangialli told a news conference.

He added that high oil prices and subprime mortgage crises did not seriously affect the global tourism as it has become a popular social activity.

Based on past experience, the sector's proven resilience and given the current parameters, UNWTO does not expect that growth will come to a halt, the report said.