Global tourism growth to be led by China and India
China and India are set to represent a third of global travel and tourism GDP by 2011, delegates at the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin have been told.
David Scowsill, president and chief executive of the World Travel and Tourism Council, who was one of the key speakers during the first day of the conference yesterday, said that while China and India were leading the way in growth, the entire industry could account for 328 million jobs worldwide (one in 10) by 2022.
He also said the strength of the industry had meant that it was able to recover quickly from global disasters, such as the bounce-back it has made from the worldwide recession.
However, in order to encourage further growth of the industry, Scowsill emphasised the importance of reducing VAT rates on hotel bookings and making access to travel easier through the use of online visa applications.
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By Janet Harmer
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