Travel & Tourism one year on from september 11, 2001
Brussels, London (ots) - Members of the European Parliament will meet
today with leading representatives of the Travel & Tourism industry in
Brussels, to assess the future outlook for European Travel & Tourism, one
year on from the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President of the World Travel & Tourism Council
(WTTC), will deliver a key-note address, alongside James Provan, Vice
President of the European Parliament, to delegates representing the Member
States of Europe and leading private sector representatives. Delegates
will be encouraged to participate in dialogue the impact of September 11,
2001 on European Travel & Tourism and future prospects.
According to World Travel & Tourism Council data, Travel & Tourism
Demand fell by an estimated 7.4 per cent worldwide in 2001 and 2002,
compared to the growth that had been forecast for those years. In the USA,
the loss in Demand over the two years was 8.5 per cent, costing the
economy $92.3 billion.
Geography did not immunize the EU where Travel & Tourism demand fell by
4.5 per cent in 2001 and an additional 3.1 per cent this year, compared to
the growth that had been forecast.
Recalling the industry's strengthened recovery from past international
disasters, such as the Gulf War, Jean-Claude Baumgarten has said that "the
Travel & Tourism industry is resilient and will start to recover early
next year, with growth in demand reaching a record 6 per cent in 2003
resulting in 6.8 million jobs".
He will stress it is essential for both the private and public sectors
to maintain continuous dialogue. The global political situation must be
closely monitored so that the industry is prepared to face whatever might
occur in the short term, and to look forward to the long term. WTTC
research forecasts the 'Travel & Tourism' industry in the EU will expand
to 22 million jobs representing 13 per cent of total employment by 2012.
The World Travel & Tourism Council is the forum for global business
leaders in Travel & Tourism comprizing the Presidents, Chairs and CEOs of
1000 of the world's foremost companies. It is the only body representing
the private sector in all parts of the Travel & Tourism industry
worldwide.
For more information, please contact:
Feolla Chastanet
Director, Communications
World Travel & Tourism Council
1-2 Queen Victoria Terrace
Sovereign Court
London E1W 3HA
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)20 7481 8007
F: +44 (0)20 7488 1008