Despite initial projections of a second consecutive annual downturn, international tourist arrivals worldwide recorded an increase of 3% in 2002. This year, demand for travel and tourism has been hit by the combined impact of the Iraq war, the continued threat of terrorist attacks, economic downturn and the SARS epidemic. Yet current trends suggest…
Despite initial projections of a second consecutive annual downturn, international tourist arrivals worldwide recorded an increase of 3% in 2002. This year, demand for travel and tourism has been hit by the combined impact of the Iraq war, the continued threat of terrorist attacks, economic downturn and the SARS epidemic. Yet current trends suggest that international arrivals may well end 2003 showing modest growth.
The picture is clearly not so bright for international tourism receipts. And some sectors of the industry are hurting badly, with yields well down on their 2000 peak. Just how badly has the industry been affected? And what are the prospects for 2004?
This year`s Forecast Forum at World Travel Market – Monday 10 November, 10.00 – organised in association with IPK International, founders and producers of the respected European and World Travel Monitors – will present the World Travel Market 2003 Global Travel Report. The report is an exclusive summary of the Guide To Global Travel Trends outlined at the Pisa Forum a week earlier and will also incorporate comment and opinions from World Travel Market`s Global Media Network partners.
World Travel Market has brought together an impressive array of high-level panellists from around the world representing major global and regional tourism bodies.
Panellists will include:
- Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General, World Tourism Organization, Madrid
- Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President, World Travel & Tourism Council, London
- Douglas B Baker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Service Industries, Tourism and Finance, US Department of Commerce, Washington
- German Porras, President, European Travel Commission, Brussels
- Peter de Jong, President and CEO Pacific Asia Travel Association, Bangkok
- Kevin Dobby, Vice President and Corporate Secretary, International Air Transport Association
The press conference will be chaired by Rolf Freitag, IPK Chairman with panellists invited to make a short three minute overview of how they see the future of the travel and tourism industry in 2004. The forum will then be opened up to journalists` questions.
Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director comments: We are delighted to be able to bring together such a high profile panel representing the great and the good of the world`s travel and tourism industry. We intend that, from this year, Forecast Forum will become the means to present the World Travel Market Global Report – a `must attend event` for the world`s media to hear the most up to date trends and to question the key players in the industry.
All attendees will receive a free copy of the World Travel Market Global Travel Report.Individual panellists and Rolf Freitag, IPK Chairman, will be available for interview.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
