Travel and Tourism

While many westerners are increasingly cost-conscious, the Chinese have multiplied their travel spending four times since 2000.

The number of international tourists is on the upswing, growing by 5% to more than 124 million people during the first two months of 2011, up from 119 million in the same period last year.*

Nevertheless, today's spending has simply returned the industry to 2008 levels.

The downturn has produced myriad long-term effects. Many westerners are increasingly cost-conscious. On the other hand, the Chinese have become the third-largest tourism spenders worldwide, multiplying their spending four times since 2000. One million Chinese visited Italy in 2010, their third most-popular destination after France and Spain.

Conversely, China has overtaken Spain as the third-most popular destination worldwide after France and the US.

With offices in 28 countries, we at MSLGROUP understand these global shifts in mood and preference. And we know today's travel patterns require new ways of communicating. From corporate communications and media relations to social media and public affairs, we work with a wide variety of tourism organizations including government tourism boards and luxury hotels.

*World Tourism Organization