Global tourism climbs to US$ 7 trillion in 2007

GLOBAL:World Travel and Tourism is expected to generate in excess of US$7 trillion in 2007, rising to over US$13 trillion over the coming decade according to the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) research, sponsored by Accenture and prepared by Oxford Economics.

The new TSA results show strong performance for Travel and Tourism Demand in 2007, growing at a rate of 3.9 per cent. This forecast points to a mature but steady phase of growth for World Travel and Tourism in the short and medium term, averaging 4.3 per cent per annum, between 2008 and 2017.

WTTC’s latest findings reveal that the world’s largest Travel and Tourism Economies are holding strong in the top 10 list for 2007. The United States continues in its pole position with Travel and Tourism Demand accounting for more than US$1,689.3 billion this year.

Over the next ten years considerable ground will be gained by China which currently stands in third position behind Japan and is forecast to move up to second position by 2017. This progression is buoyed by a percentage growth in real terms of 9.6 per cent, per annum, over the next 10 years.

Notably, by 2017 the Russian Federation will enter the top 10 list of countries expected to total the largest amount (in absolute terms) on Travel and Tourism Demand, where it has not figured previously.

The world’s high performers - defined as countries set to grow fastest over 2007 and the decade to come - WTTC results show that Montenegro, China and India top the list, with demand growing each year at a rate of 10.1 per cent, 9.1 per cent and 7.9 per cent respectively.

These countries have consistently appeared in the top three positions over the past 4 years, consolidating their growth year on year. Their strong foothold in terms of performance is underscored by a sustained expansion in their Travel and Tourism industry as a result of focussed strategic development and targeted investment.

On the other hand, countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad who also figure in the top ten are boosted to these positions as a result of a sudden or sharp rebound in their economy and Travel & Tourism activity.