Economic crisis, swine flu hit tourism: industry body
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The recent economic turmoil and the outbreak of swine flu will lead to a 5.5 percent drop in business for the global tourism sector this year, a leading industry body said on Tuesday.
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, the president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), told a press conference in London that tourist activity will drop this year before stabilising in 2010.
"There are many reasons for the fall expected in 2009," Baumgarten said. "Cuts in business travel, household curtailment of leisure travel...the postponement of investment plans and swine flu."
"However, recent data indicates that the worst has maybe passed," he added, pointing to a rise in air passenger numbers.
The WTTC, an association of tourist industry executives, expects the global economy to shrink by 1.3 percent this year.
"This means that travel and tourism's contribution to world GDP will fall to less than 9.3 percent this year, from 9.6 percent in 2008," Baumgarten said.
The former Air France executive also hit out at the rescue packages offered to European car makers, claiming that the tourist industry "receives very little support" in the way of public funds.
"Governments should not kill the goose with the golden eggs," Baumgarten said, stressing tourism was a key provider of jobs.
Earlier on Tuesday, the UN's World Tourism Organisation said the sector would enjoy a "moderate recovery" in 2010 as the worst of the recession comes to pass.
The Madrid-based body said Asia's tourist industry would rebound initially, followed by a recovery in Europe and the Americas.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments