WTTC to unveil 2006 Travel & Tourism forecast

THE WORLD Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) will present its 2006 forecast estimates of travel and tourism's economic performance for 174 countries around the world this week.

In response to a strong demand for exclusive and detailed access to WTTC's proprietary economic research, the Council, along with its research sponsor Accenture, will release its 2006 Tourism Satellite Accounting (TSA) forecast.

WTTC and Accenture will also deliver a joint message of key industry issues to kick-start a series of special industry events, which will be held around the world over the coming year.

DISCUSSING 2006 FORECAST AND ISSUES

Senior executives from both organisations, including WTTC President Jean-Claude Baumgarten and Accenture Managing Director Peter Franz, will be joined by industry leaders and senior government officials to discuss the 2006 forecast and related issues.

Travel and Tourism is one of the world's highest priority industries and employers.

In partnership with Oxford Economic Forecasting (OEF), WTTC's Tourism Satellite Accounting research, based on the UN standard for Satellite Accounting, quantifies the wide-ranging economic impact of Travel and Tourism and provides solid, credible and professional statistical information that can assist in informing government policy and business decision processes.

In 2005, WTTC predicted that Travel and Tourism would contribute 10.6 per cent of world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create 220 million jobs.

Did the industry realise these forecasts? Will 2006 build on 2005's performance? Which countries are becoming the powerhouses of industry growth? Has the industry recovered from recent natural disasters? Where are the opportunities for Travel & Tourism business development and investment? These are some of the pressing issues that will be addressed.