11/09/2002

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 keynote 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 about the impact of September 11, 2001 on European Travel & Tourism and future prospects.

According to WTTC data, Travel & Tourism demand fell by an estimated 7.4 per cent worldwide in 2001 and 2002, compared with the growth that had been forecast for those years. In the USA, the loss in demand over the two years is estimated at 8.5 per cent, costing the economy US$92.3 billion.

Geography did not immunize the EU where Travel & Tourism demand fell by 4.5 per cent in 2001 and is expected to fall by an additional 3.1 per cent this year, compared with the growth that had been forecast.

Recalling the industry's strengthened recovery from past international disasters, such as the Gulf War, Jean-Claude Baumgarten will say 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 new 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 comprising the presidents, chairs and CEOs of 1,000 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 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