It contributes 8.4 per cent to global employment (238 million jobs)1 and is projected to grow at an average of 4 per cent over the next decade. Rising per capita incomes and the operation of competitive low-cost airlines have also contributed to this increase. China is particularly significant as it alone is expected to contribute 100 million travellers.4 All indications are that in spite of a downturn in the global economy beginning in 2008 due to the global financial crisis, the travel and tourism industry is robust enough to withstand these pressures over the next decade. Depending upon the sophistication of the industry in terms of the solidity of its linkages and supply chains, some destinations are likely to recover more quickly than others.