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WTTC: Further tourism growth in 2008
23 January 2008
The booming tourism industry is set to continue growing this year despite challenges within the market, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
Recent research by the WTTC and Oxford Economics revealed that the travel industry performed strongly in 2007, with international arrivals increasing by nearly 6% to approach 900m.
This marked the fourth successive year that arrivals exceeded the long-term trend rate of 4%.
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president of the WTTC, said: 'Tourism growth has been particularly rapid in developing countries, with the fastest average growth in tourism arrivals in the Middle East region.
'These countries are not only recognising the development potential of travel and tourism and therefore investing heavily in new infrastructure and facilities but their citizens are also seeing rapid economic growth boost their incomes.'
Khalid bin Sulayem, director of the Dubai department of tourism and commerce marketing, gave the emirate as an example, saying that its tourism policy has helped the industry rise above a potential economic downturn.
According to the International Air Transport Association, worldwide air passenger traffic increased at a record year-on-year rate of 9.3% in November 2007.
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Recent research by the WTTC and Oxford Economics revealed that the travel industry performed strongly in 2007, with international arrivals increasing by nearly 6% to approach 900m.
This marked the fourth successive year that arrivals exceeded the long-term trend rate of 4%.
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president of the WTTC, said: 'Tourism growth has been particularly rapid in developing countries, with the fastest average growth in tourism arrivals in the Middle East region.
'These countries are not only recognising the development potential of travel and tourism and therefore investing heavily in new infrastructure and facilities but their citizens are also seeing rapid economic growth boost their incomes.'
Khalid bin Sulayem, director of the Dubai department of tourism and commerce marketing, gave the emirate as an example, saying that its tourism policy has helped the industry rise above a potential economic downturn.
According to the International Air Transport Association, worldwide air passenger traffic increased at a record year-on-year rate of 9.3% in November 2007.
Opodo cheap flights and hotels - let the journey begin!
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