There’s a strong case to be made in this regard. Even taking into account criticism about how tourism impacts water scarcity and waste management in developing areas, the industry is a major global employer. WTTC’s latest annual research, in conjunction with Oxford Economics, shows Travel & Tourism’s contribution to world GDP outpaced the global economy for the sixth consecutive year in 2016, rising to a total of 10.2% of world GDP (US$7.6 trillion). The sector now supports 292 million people in employment — that’s 1 in 10 jobs on the planet.
