The global coalition for travel and tourism last week said in a joint statement that it is working closely and collectively to promote the interests of the global economy…
The global coalition for travel and tourism last week said in a joint statement that it is working closely and collectively to promote the interests of the global economy, the industry and the millions of people involved in travel and tourism. Commenting on the confusion and uncertainty that followed the September 11th terrorist attacks in the US, the statement said this climate continues to reverberate throughout the economies of the world, impacting every major industry.
The global travel and tourism industry were highly affected according to the announcement, which also called on all industry related companies to demonstrate unity and leadership so as to restore public confidence in the travel industry and an early return to "business as usual".
Travel and tourism, according to the same announcement, is responsible for US $4,495 billion in global activity, generating as much as 12.4 percent of employment throughout the wider economy (or some 17 million jobs). Also it accounts for some 11.6 percent of gross domestic product (US $481 billion) and as much as US $1,405 billion in economic activity. The statement also mentioned that on an international scale a 10 percent decrease in the demand for travel and tourism would lead to the loss of some 8.8 million jobs – and a 1.7 percent reduction in global GDP.
"We, representatives of this great industry, call upon governments to work together in partnership to ensure that measures to strengthen security are effective, harmonized internationally and applied globally. This will help to restore consumer confidence in travel and tourism, the economic health of our industry and the livelihood of all those who work in it," the statement added.
Coalition Partners include the Airports Council International, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Association of European Airlines, the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the European Travel Action Group, the European Tour Operators Association, the International Air Transport Association, the International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus, the International Federation of Tour Operators, the International Hotel & Restaurant Association, the US National Tour Association, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, the US The Travel Business Roundtable, the US Tour Operator Association, The Universal Federation of Travel Agents Association and the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
