2013 WTTC Global Summit calls for 'time for leadership'

（People's Daily Online）  15:36, April 10, 2013  

Abu Dhabi, April 9 (People's Daily Online) – 2013 World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit with the theme 'A Time For Leadership' kicked off today in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Although the world economy experienced continuous turmoil and slowed down in 2012, world tourism industry has grown faster than manufacture, retail and financial services. Tourism has contributed 6.6 trillion U.S. dollars to GDP, representing 9 percent of global GDP. It created jobs for 260 million people in 2012. This is the first time that one eleventh of all jobs on the planet is supported by tourism industry, according to David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC.

It is also predicted that in 2023, tourism will have a total contribution of about 10 percent to global GDP and it will create one tenth jobs. Tourism can create 17 million jobs for the next decade with two third of them coming from Asia, according to WTTC forecast.

WTTC has made significant progress in the freedom of travel by raising the awareness of potential visitors. If visa policy is improved, there will be significant economic benefits and more jobs will be created.

David Scowsill also called for tax exemption on tourism industry as tourism can generate growth, jobs, prosperity. It is high time to raise the awareness of the leaders and seize the opportunity for growth.

The Global Summit is the world's highest profile meeting for the Travel & Tourism industry. Up to 1,000 company leaders, tourism ministers from across the globe and representatives of international broadcast networks and press have attended this Summit which is celebrated annually. (Yao Chun)