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G20 Countries Call Tourism Economic Driver

G20 countries have finally admitted the importance of tourism sector. The declaration issued after the latest meeting of the G20 countries’ leaders contains words concerning the role of travelling in economic growth and development. Tourism helps to create new jobs, increases quality of work and reduces poverty, so its role is hard to underestimate. This is the first time the G20 Leaders’ Declaration contains words about tourism.

Indeed, the growth of tourism sector is hard not to notice. According to the information provided by WTTC, in 2012 tourism industry will accumulate 100 million jobs around the world. The industry directly contributes as much as US$2 trillion to the global GDP. The indirect contribution of tourism sector is even more impressive – US$6.5 trillion. According to some experts soon the total number of people working in the industry will be 260 million. This means that every 1 job out of 12 will be in tourism.

As it is stated in WTTC and UNWTO research results, the G20 countries can get additional 122 million tourists that will bring US$206 billion more to budgets of G20 countries by 2015 if they simplify visa requirements and entry formalities. The growth of tourism will also create over 5 million additional jobs. According to a report published, in 2011 the G20 countries were visited by 656 million of international visitors. 110 million of visitors out of these 656 million needed a visa. Many visitors named problems with getting a visa and costs associated with it a significant problem. Many of these visitors are from BRIC and other fast developing countries, so their number is expected to increase.

07.07.2012

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