WORLD - KEY FACTS AT A GLANCE

After four years of growth averaging at 3.6%pa, T&T Economy GDP growth slowed to just 1.0% in 2008, its weakest performance since the recessionary period.

Two difficult years are now in prospect, with T7T Economy GDP likely to contract by 3.3% in 2009 and to expand by only 0.3% in 2010. But, looking beyond the current crisis, Travel & Tourism is expected to resume its leading, dynamic role in global growth.

• Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The contribution of Travel & Tourism to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to rise from 9.4% (US$5,474 bn) in 2009 to 9.5% (US$10,478 bn) by 2019.

• Employment

The contribution of the Travel & Tourism economy to total employment is expected to rise from 219,810,000 jobs in 2009, 7.6% of total employement, or 1 in every 13.1 jobs to 275,688,000 jobs, 8.4% of total employment or in 1 in every 11.8 jobs by 2019.

• Growth

Real GDP growth for the Travel & Tourism economy is expected to be -3.5% in 2009, down from 1.0% in 2008, but to average 4.0% per annum over the coming 10 years.

• Exports

Export earnings from international visitors and tourism goods are expected to generate 10.9% of total exports (US$1,980 bn) in 2009, growing (in nominal terms) to US$4,132 bn (9.8% of the total) in 2019.

'WTTC conducts in-depth economic impact research on individual countries on a regular basis through the year: As a result, our annual rankings published this year on 15 March are likely to undergo fairly significant changes as more detailed data comes to light. The downloadable documents in this section provide the latest rankings according to the most recent WTTC research.'