Signs of recovery in 2010 for the Tourism Sector

According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the negative trend in international tourism that emerged during the second half of 2008 intensified in 2009 under the impact of the rapid deterioration of the world economy, combined in various destinations with the effects of the influenza A(H1N1) outbreak this spring is coming to a turning point. Based on preliminary results from about 140 destination countries, international tourist arrivals worldwide are estimated to have declined by 7% ( in Europe -8%) in the period January to July 2009, compared to the same period of previous year but recent statistics show that demand might be picking up, increasing that confidence that 2010 will be a recovery year.