The contribution travel and tourism makes to the world economy is forecast to dip by 5.5% next year, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. Travel and tourism’s contribution to world GDP has fallen to less than 9.3% this year – from 9.6% in 2008.

Up to 60 million tourism jobs could be under threat if swine flu descends into a global pandemic, and the tourism economy could lose US$2.2 trillion over the next two years, according to new forecasts from World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).Speaking at an emergency session held at the 9th Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Florianopolis, Brazil, WTTC economist, Amir Girgis, said: “In a worst case scenario, the figures show that the magnitude of a downturn could be 25 to 30 per cent as a result of a pandemic. That’s not H1N1 [swine flu] as it is now, but if it got much worse then it could cost up to 60 million jobs.”

Breaking Travel News interviews Jabu Mabuza, Chairman of South African Tourism

Breaking Travel News interviews Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President & CEO - World Travel & Tourism Council

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Breaking Travel News interviews The Honourable Onkokame Kitso Mokaila, Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Republic of Botswana