'Tourism's most important emerging economies':

Sri Lanka identified at WTM

Senior executives from the global travel industry have identified Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and Argentina as tourism's most important emerging economies, reveals the World Travel Market 2011 Industry Report released last week.

The five SLIMMA nations have been identified by the industry as the countries to rival the BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

More than 1,000 buyer members from the WTM Meridian Club and exhibitors at this year's event were polled about a number of issues affecting the tourism industry, giving the report a unique global perspective.

When asked which countries have the potential to rival Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the five SLIMMA nations emerged as the global favourites.

Sri Lanka, the survey found, has inbound potential as the nation invests in its infrastructure as it emerges from decades of civil strife.

Its natural beauty, in particular its picturesque beaches, is also identified as a key attraction to global tourists.

Reed Travel Exhibitions World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery said: "As important as the BRICS nations are now, and will be in the future, there are other emerging countries for the travel and tourism industry to look at.

"The SLIMMA nations - Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and Argentina - are the ones the industry has identified as the nations to look out for both inbound and outbound tourism for a variety of reasons including investment in infrastructure, natural beauty and high disposable incomes," Jeffery said.