Tourism Tourism robust despite economic gloom


Growth in the global tourism industry in 2012 will be broadly in line with expectations set at the beginning of the year. Announcing its final forecast for 2012 during the World Travel Market (WTM) event held in London this week, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) predicted that global tourism will grow 2.7 per cent during 2012. Earlier this year, WTTC released a report


predicting a 2.8 per cent growth in the sector. The main reasons for the marginal down- grade are that WTTC now expects world GDP growth to be 2.3 per cent in 2012 – down 0.2 per cent from the beginning of the year – and the continuing problems in the Eurozone. The latest economic data from WTTC’s


research partner, Oxford Economics, show downgrades in the Eurozone and the US since the beginning of the year, contrasting with upgrades in Japan and emerging markets. David Scowsill, president and CEO of


WTTC, said: “Te latest figures from WTTC confirm the resilience of the travel and tour- ism industry around the world.


Global tourism numbers have remained healthy “Despite some specific and regional down-


grades to short-term economic and industry forecasts, the longer-term prospects for travel and tourism remain very positive, and con- tinue to be boosted by strong growth and rising prosperity in emerging markets.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=E0u4M


Youth Contract scheme kicks off in Liverpool


Liverpool has become one of the first cities in the UK to launch a new Youth Contract aimed at liſting teenagers out of unemployment. Te Youth Contract Apprenticeship Business


Grant Initiative offers a subsidy of up to £3,500 for employers to take on young people who


are aged 16-17 and not in education, employ- ment and training. Te priority areas include tourism and the creative sector and applica- tions are being invited from businesses offering employment beyond the apprenticeship term. Details: http://lei.sr?a=H8N2o


VisitBritain and BA join forces for campaign


Br i t i sh Airways and VisitBritain have joined forces to launch a new multi-mil- lion pound marketing push to boost inbound traveller numbers to the UK. Te Big British Invite cam-


paign features ‘real’ British people inviting the world to visit Britain to enjoy their favourite places and experi- ences. Ambassadors include the chief Yeoman warder of the Tower of London and the director of the Loch Ness Project, which helps inform millions of visitors each year about the mystery surrounding the world famous loch. Te first phase of the campaign began on 3 November, with print and digital advertising featuring special fares for British Airways flights to the UK.


© CYBERTREK 2012


Te campaign looks to attract people from emerging markets to the UK Te campaign will target travellers from


emerging markets such a China and India, alongside established markets such as the UAE and the US. In 2011, 4.6m visitors from these markets spent a total of £3.9bn in the UK.


Twitter: @leisureopps Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 11


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