09/09/2003

In response to the recent announcement by the government of Singapore of a
new case of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), Jean-Claude
Baumgarten, President of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today
issued the following statement.

"The Travel & Tourism industry is absolutely confident that the Singapore
authorities, who have previously demonstrated their professionalism and
coordinated response to effectively contain and eliminate the SARS outbreak
earlier in the year, will take the necessary and appropriate measures to
once again deal with the latest situation."

"For our industry, it is reassuring that after several months of no SARS
cases, the Singapore authorities are still very much on top of the issue and
closely watching the general population and incoming visitors for any signs
of re-emerging cases. The immediate isolation of the Singapore-based
medical researcher and his contacts shows that the diligence is still there
and that the authorities will take every measure necessary to make sure SARS
does not re-emerge."

"I congratulate the Singapore Health Ministry and the World Health
Organization for taking these significant actions to protect the general
population, the economy and our industry in Singapore from a repeat of last
spring's devastating blow."

WTTC research, released in May 2003, indicated that Singapore Travel &
Tourism was expected to suffer a 43% loss in Gross Domestic Product
contribution and 17,500 jobs this year as a result of SARS.

As a sign of support and confidence for Singapore and its handling of both
the SARS outbreak earlier in the year and this recent case, WTTC is sending
Richard Miller, Vice President of Research and Economics to Singapore to
discuss the opportunities for Travel & Tourism in developing countries to a
meeting of 100 industry CEOs. Richard Miller said, "Post-SARS, the outlook
for Travel & Tourism growth in Asia-Pacific generally and Singapore
specifically is outstanding. The industry has been and will continue to be
a leading catalyst for economic growth and job creation."

For further information and for requests to interview Jean-Claude
Baumgarten, please contact Sarah Granger at sarah.granger@wttc.org.