Senior executives from the global travel industry have identified Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and Argentina as tourism’s most important emerging economies, reveals the World Travel Market 2011 Industry
The five SLIMMA nations have been identified by the industry as the countries to rival the BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
More than 1,000 buyer members from the WTM Meridian Club and exhibitors at this week’s event in London were polled about a number of issues affecting the tourism industry.
When asked which countries have the potential to rival the BRICS, the five SLIMMA nations emerged as the global favourites.
Sri Lanka, the survey found, has inbound potential as the nation invests in its infrastructure as it emerges from decades of civil strife.
Indonesia could provide a significant outbound market. The population is young and the growth of a generation with a relatively high disposable income will provide openings for outbound operators.
Reed Travel Exhibitions chairman World Travel Market, Fiona Jeffery, said, “The SLIMMA nations are the ones the industry has identified for a variety of reasons including investment in infrastructure, natural beauty and high disposable incomes.â€
