International travel overshadows TV and Internet
When it comes to stimulating the economy and breaking down internet barriers, international travel is considered even more important than the Internet, TV/movies, or political diplomacy, says a study released at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
The study was conducted by Penn Schoen Berland on behalf of Marriott International. It included the views of 1,100 global travelers.
Ninety-six percent of respondents, who ranged in age from under 35 to over 50 years old, believed that travel and tourism stimulates the economy, while 77 percent felt that "the more people experience other countries and cultures, the more peace will spread."
"I believe we are entering a ‘Golden Age of Travel,’ where opportunities to do business and travel abroad are opening up like never before," said Arne Sorenson, Marriott International’s CEO-elect and current president.
He pointed out that pointing to the number of international arrivals, which have doubled in the last 10 years, and will reach 1 billion in 2012.
"Bringing down barriers to travel creates jobs and prosperity and we applaud President Obama’s announcement to reform U.S. visa and entry systems to welcome more international visitors," he said.
"We already knew that travel and tourism have a major impact on the economy, but now we also know that it can change people’s views worldwide," says Mark Penn, CEO of Penn Schoen Berland and CEO of Burson-Marsteller. "International travelers advance people’s understanding of different cultures and reinforce all that we as humans have in common with each other."
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the industry is predicted to account for an extra 69 million net jobs by 2021, including direct, indirect and induced employment — almost 80 percent of which will be in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
By David Wilkening
David
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