WTTC’s latest findings reveal that the world’s largest travel and tourism economies have retained their positions in the top 10 list for 2007. The United States remains in pole position, with demand for travel and tourism services accounting for more than US$1,689.3 billion this year.
Over the next ten years, China is expected to make a large move up the list. It is currently in third position behind Japan and is forecast to move up to second position by 2017, buoyed by a percentage growth in real terms of 9.6 per cent per annum.
Notably, by 2017 the Russian Federation will enter the top 10 list of countries with the largest demand for travel and tourism services.
The world’s highest performers are defined as the countries set to grow most rapidly during 2007 and the next 10 years. 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 supported by sustained expansion of their travel and tourism industries 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 by a sharp turnaround in their economy and travel and tourism activity.
Other countries featured on WTTC’s high performers list include Croatia, Romania and Namibia, all of which are countries that recently adopted a Simulated Tourism Satellite Account, empowering them with an economic measurement tool that can direct sound decision-making.
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