Growth rates around the world vary. In South America growth is currently at 13 percent, in Asia, Oceania and the Middle East at twelve per cent, and in Africa growth in domestic and international flights is at seven per cent.

By contrast, the markets in North America and Europe have lagged behind, and figures have yet to reach pre-recession levels. For Europe the year-on-year growth figure is three per cent, while for North America it is only one per cent.

Launched by the consultancy IPK International and sponsored by ITB Berlin, the World Travel Monitor Forum in Pisa attracts about 50 tourism experts and scientists from around the world each year.

The hotel industry has a long way to go before making a similar recovery. Said Freitag: “We have yet to see a recovery from 2009 that saw year-on-year growth drop by seven per cent. Compared with last year, growth has now reached five per cent, but travellers are booking shorter stays.”

Travellers’ spending behaviour was similarly restrained, he added.â�¨â�¨

According to IPK, in 2010 Germany’s market share will reach 10 percent and 72.6 million trips, confirming it as the world’s most travelled nation.

The USA ranks second, with a market share of nine percent and 64 million trips, followed by the UK and France in third and fourth place.��

“Against the backdrop of the global recession, the dynamism with which the world’s travel industry has recovered from last year’s slump is quite remarkable and encouraging. We are confident that the markets in Europe and North America will move in a positive direction too, and that when ITB Berlin takes place in March next year that they will be able to report promising developments”, said Dr. Martin Buck, Director, Competence Center Travel and Logistics, Messe Berlin.

Picture: Tourists at Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Featured image credit (Great Wall of China): Ockra/iStock