In a world of change, one constant since 1950 has been the sustained growth and resilience of tourism both as an activity and an economic sector. This has been demonstrated despite ongoing terrorist threats, beginning with 9/11, the dual bombings in Bali, and more recent occurrences in Paris and London. We have also seen the threat of bird blue, the financial crisis of 2008/2009 and the Iceland volcanic eruption.
Yet, despite these and other challenges, in 2010, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) demonstrated the tremendous scale of the world's tourism sector (WTTC, 2010):
The travel and tourism industry's percentage of world gross domestic product was 9.4%
The world travel and tourism industry accounts for 9.2% of total investment in the world
The world travel and tourism industry supported 235 million jobs (8.1% of total world employment)
It is therefore clear that tourism is an activity of global importance and significance and a major force in the economy of the world.
Cooper, Chris 2012, Essentials of Tourism, Pearson Education Limited, Harlow, Essex.