Travel and tourism is set for a milestone year as the industry’s direct contribution to the global economy is expected to pass $2 trillion in GDP and 100 million jobs. The global travel and tourism industry will grow by 2.8 percent in 2012, marginally faster than the global rate of economic growth, predicted to be 2.5 percent.

The Mexico Tourism Board is predicting 52 million tourists will visit Mexico in 2012 after a strong 2011 that saw the country recover from the effect of negative media coverage of the drug wars and crime. Hotels in many of the top tourist destinations saw significant increase in occupancy from last year's winter break.