Tourism will grow by 5pc !

[Tight_rope]

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/story.asp?Article=89119&Sn=BUSI&IssueID=27146

MADRID: The international threat of extremist attacks has so far had only a limited impact on tourism, mostly in changing travel patterns, tourism professionals said yesterday.

World Tourism Organisation (WTO) had predicted growth of five per cent in world tourism for this year, in terms of both revenue and numbers of international tourists, following a sharp drop of 1.2pc last year compared to 2002, said Augusto Huescar, who conducts market research for the WTO.

This optimistic forecast was based on economic growth and encouraging prospects for 2004 and 2005 predicted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). "People are increasingly assuming the risk factor," said Huescar. Italy appears to be the European country most under threat after a group connected to Al Qaeda called on its cells there to cause a bloodbath if Italian troops were not withdrawn from Iraq by August 15.

Turkey, another major tourist attraction, last Tuesday became a target in two bomb attacks leaving two dead and 11 injured.

I don't know what those who predicted this are on. But it's some heavy shit.

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. I suspect the high cost of aviation fuel will have more of an effect

than terrorism fears. Only if a country has repeated terrorist attacks will people stop going there - there's just as much chance of getting caught up in an attack at home as abroad.