Sub-Saharan Africa’s tourist arrivals grew by 3 percent from January through August of 2014, TravelBizMonitor reports.

In North Africa, tourism increased by 4 percent, “consolidating its recovery,” compared to international tourist arrivals, which increased 5 percent in the same period, according to the latest U.N. World Tourism Organization World Tourism Barometer.

Despite a lingering economic recovery and geopolitical challenges, tourism demand was strong during June to August, according to a U.N. statement.

By region, the strongest growth was registered in the Americas (8 percent), followed by Asia and the Pacific (5 percent) and Europe (4 percent). By sub-region, North America (9 percent) and South Asia (8 percent) were the star performers, as well as Southern and Mediterranean Europe, Northern Europe, North-East Asia and South America (all 7 percent).

Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the U.N. World Tourism Organization, talked about the possible impact of Ebola in West Africa on tourism. “Although it is too premature to assess the full impact of the outbreak on the tourism sector, at this point we do not expect a major effect on the sector globally,” he said, according to TravelBizMonitor.

International tourism in countries where Ebola transmission is widespread (Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone) represents less than 1 percent of all international arrivals to African destinations, Rifai said. “Yet we have to be aware that misperception about the outbreak is affecting the whole of Africa. On the upside, and according to information gathered from our African member states and key tour operators and associations in major source markets, there are no significant cancellations to report, despite a certain slowdown in bookings.”

The World Health Organization said in October there should be no general ban on international travel or trade, Rifai said, referring to the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee meeting regarding the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Rifai encouraged authorities to provide “transparent and timely information to fight misperception and fear, and minimize the spillover effects to the whole region,” TravelBizMonitor reports.