TRAVEL & TOURISM ONE YEAR ON FROM SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Brussels, London 11.09.2002 (PROTEXT/ots) - Members of theEuropean Parliament will meet today with leading representativesof the Travel & Tourism industry in Brussels, to assess thefuture outlook for European Travel & Tourism, one year on fromthe devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President of the World Travel &Tourism Council (WTTC), will deliver a key-note address,alongside James Provan, Vice President of the EuropeanParliament, to delegates representing the Member States of Europeand leading private sector representatives. Delegates will beencouraged to participate in dialogue the impact of September 11,2001 on European Travel & Tourism and future prospects.

According to World Travel & Tourism Council data, Travel &Tourism Demand fell by an estimated 7.4 per cent worldwide in2001 and 2002, compared to the growth that had been forecast forthose years. In the USA, the loss in Demand over the two yearswas 8.5 per cent, costing the economy $92.3 billion.

Geography did not immunize the EU where Travel & Tourismdemand fell by 4.5 per cent in 2001 and an additional 3.1 percent this year, compared to the growth that had been forecast.

Recalling the industry's strengthened recovery from pastinternational disasters, such as the Gulf War, Jean-ClaudeBaumgarten has said that "the Travel & Tourism industry isresilient and will start to recover early next year, with growthin demand reaching a record 6 per cent in 2003 resulting in 6.8million jobs".

He will stress it is essential for both the private andpublic sectors to maintain continuous dialogue. The globalpolitical situation must be closely monitored so that theindustry is prepared to face whatever might occur in the shortterm, and to look forward to the long term. WTTC researchforecasts the 'Travel & Tourism' industry in the EU will expandto 22 million jobs representing 13 per cent of total employmentby 2012.

The World Travel & Tourism Council is the forum for globalbusiness leaders in Travel & Tourism comprizing the Presidents,Chairs and CEOs of 1000 of the world's foremost companies. It isthe only body representing the private sector in all parts of theTravel & Tourism industry worldwide.

ots Originaltext: World Travel & Tourism Council Internet:http://www.presseportal.de

For more information, please contact:

Feolla Chastanet Director, Communications World Travel &Tourism Council 1-2 Queen Victoria Terrace Sovereign Court LondonE1W 3HA United Kingdom T: +44 (0)20 7481 8007 F: +44 (0)20 74881008 www.wttc.org

Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug"PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to bepublished under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial serviceproviding distribution of press releases from clients, who areidentified in the text of Protext reports and who bear fullresponsibility for their contents.

PROTEXT