Iraq war ‘could cost inbound tourism £2billion’
The Iraq conflict could cost Britain’s inbound tourism industry as much as £2billion, according to a forecast by the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group (TIER).
The organisation, which was set up after September 11 to respond to major industry issues, says that the war has led to a “clear nervousness about travel, particularly from long haul markets”. Basing its estimate on the current situation, previous experience and economic models it says that the conflict will cost the British inbound tourism industry “something in the range of £1.5bn to £2bn this year, a drop of 15% on 2002.”
TIER points out that even without the war, low consumer and business confidence would have meant that 2003 was “at best..a rather flat year.”
It claims that the longer term outlook is much better: “Tourism is a growth industry and there is strong latent demand for Britain in most markets.”
Members of TIER include VisitBritain, ABTA, British Airways, British Incoming Tour Operators Association (BITOA), VisitScotland, the Wales Tourist Board and the London Tourist Board.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent