Tourism Experts to Examine the Future of the Global Economy at WTM 2009

The future of the global economy is a significant topic for debate and discussion at World Travel Market 2008 (WTM). Based on the comments of Forum chair Peter Hobday, host the WTM Global Economic Forum, there are enough market indicators to evoke debate and he will be addressing relevant issues to the distinguished panel to elicit the important insights needed to guide the sustainable development of tourism entities around the world.

Thursday, November 13 will play host to the WTM Global Economic Forum providing senior travel and tourism executives with an in-depth look at the state of the global economy moving forward into 2009-2010.

Deutsche Bank Group chief economist Professor Dr. Norbert Walter will give a keynote address, followed by a series of insightful presentations from leading travel industry economics experts including Jean Claude Baumgarten, president and COO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC); Senior Airline Industry consultant John Strickland and chairman of Oxford and Tourism Economics John Walker. The event will be chaired by former economics journalists and BBC broadcaster for Today and Newsnight Peter Hobday.

Examining several themes, the main question the forum will investigate and seek to answer –is the industry at a crossroads? As more and more countries around the world start to catch the recession cold, what does this signify for the travel industry; will it become a period where only the best equipped and prepared survive? The WTM Global Economic Forum panel will aim to answer these important questions.

Drawing on his experiences as the chief economist Deutsche Bank Group over the past 15 years, keynote speaker Professor Dr. Norbert Walter will provide participants with the general picture of the global economy in the near future.

Forum chair Peter Hobday will host the conference evoking debate and putting questions to the expert panel to discuss and deliberate providing valuable insight for participants.

Providing the statistics and hard numbers, Oxford Economics and Tourism Economics chairman John Walker will take audience members through the economic outlook of the industry, examining the forecasted future trends.

Looking at the current state of the airline industry, John Strickland will outline the links between the industry and its current challenges, with relation to the effects this infers on the global economy.

Rounding out the panel, representing the collective voice for business leaders in the travel and tourism industry on all matters related to travel and tourism, president and COO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Jean Claude Baumgarten will challenge the figures and statistics presented providing insight into what they signify for the industry as a collective.