TourismROI LLC, the world’s premier source for Travel & Tourism management and investment information, has signed up its first destination subscribers following its beta-test launch on March 1, 2008.  Among the early adopter TourismROI destinations are: Aysén, Chile; Montenegro; the Kingdom of Tonga; St. Lucia; Uzbekistan; Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City, Missouri, USA, and the State of Colorado, USA.

Speaking at the 8th Annual Global Travel & Tourism Summit being held in Dubai this week, Richard Miller, CEO & Managing Partner of TourismROI, said “TourismROI moved into its beta-test phase with a wide range of destinations from around the world jumping in early to begin loading their destination profiles.  The response has been extremely positive from tourism authorities and industry associations.”

“Several organizations including the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the World Economic Forum and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) have been granted “Super User” status allowing them to load their most recent Travel & Tourism research onto TourismROI.  In addition, more than 2,000 researchers and academics involved in Travel & Tourism-related activities have been invited to participate in the initial test, and have begun loading tourism research, academic papers, studies and more in order to kick off the massive collaboration that TourismROI encourages,” Miller added.

TourismROI has been recognized by a number of influential national and international public and private sector organizations that appreciate the need for a centralized tourism management and investment information source.  The roster includes: Africa Travel Association (ATA), the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), PATA, the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the World Bank, WTTC, the World Economic Forum and many others.

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president and chief executive of the World Travel & Tourism Council, said: "As a founding sponsor of TourismROI, WTTC recognises the need for a centralized resource to facilitate the rapidly expanding interest in Travel & Tourism development and investment globally.  According to our latest research, worldwide, Travel & Tourism in economic terms is expected to grow at a level of 4.0 % per year over the next ten years. This creates an opportunity for every country in the world to be part of this process and to share the benefits.  TourismROI will provide governments and investors with easy access to much needed information." 

Commenting on TourismROI, Geoffrey H. Lipman, assistant secretary general of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), said "We're delighted that TourismROI has chosen to become an affiliate member of UNWTO.  It is in keeping with the company's vision to provide a truly global approach for local and global Travel & Tourism development and investment opportunities.  This emphasis on 'glocalization' is what we at UNWTO believe in and stand for."