Despite the worst debt crisis after the World War II, tourism in Europe still enjoyed increase in 2011, according to the World Travel Trends Report issued on Wednesday.

The annual travel trends report, which was released to professionals of tourism industry at the 46th annual International Tourism Trade Show in Berlin (ITB), said that 2011 was indeed a strong year for both European outbound and inbound travel.

According to the report, European outbound trips increased by 4 percent and far exceeded last year's 1 to 2 percent prediction.

Meanwhile, for outbound travel, Europeans chose Spain, Germany and France as their top destinations with the majority of their holiday spending revolving around sun and beach vacations.

"For inbound travel, Europe as a destination is also highly attractive. Emerging markets are traveling more and more to Europe. And Europe also took advantage of the crisis in Egypt," said Rolf Freitag, the CEO of IPK International, which is the author of the annual travel trends report.

In response to conflicts in the Middle East, more that 8 million travellers changed their travel plans in 2011, looking for a safer alternative.

Beyond Europe, Asia continued to enjoy strong growth in travel again in 2011, with a 6 percent increase in outbound travel.

Freitag was optimistic about continued growth from China, but also observed that one region cannot solve the problems of Europe.

"In 2009/2010 mainly China saved the European economy with their big boom, this is still going on, but will be less dramatic," Freitag told Xinhua. He predicts that Asia outbound will continue to grow but at a rate of 5 percent.

The IPK Travel Trends monitor attributes the growth to rising incomes in Asia and the Pacific and to the consumer potential of young Chinese high-income professionals seeking new travel experiences. According to the trends report, the average age of Asian travelers was 38 years.

Freitag was optimistic about world travel in 2012. "We think that several markets can grow, but only 2 percent on a world wide level," he said.

The 2012 International Tourist Trade Show, running from March 7 to 11, expects to draw 110,000 visitors to exhibitors from 187 countries.