Page 89 - University English for non-speacalist

the tourism industry and governments respond to
those challenges. A glance at the recent past reveals a
remarkable increase in international tourist arrivals
from 25 million in 1950 to 664 million in 1999, an
average annual growth rate of 7% . By 2020
international arrivals are predicted to reach 1.18
billion, representing an average annual growth rate of
4.1%. Such forecasts seem reasonable given the
likelihood that the forces driving past growth will
continue for the foreseeable future: faster, larger
aircraft leading to lower real travel costs; more
widespread wealth in a greater number of countries;
reduction of barriers to travel imposed by nations on
their own citizens and visitors; the globalization of
media raising people‘s awareness of the world outside
their own domains and raising their interest in
experiencing other places. Consequently, by the end

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