Tourism: EU the world's number one tourist destination accounting for over 39% of global arrivals

Tourism has an important role in restoring economic growth in Europe. EU countries account for over 39% of global arrivals, making the EU the world's number one tourist destination.

In 2011, the EU tourism industry recorded positive growth rates in most countries of the EU, compared with the same period in 2010. The EU tourism industry generates more than 5 % of EU GDP, with some 1.8 million enterprises creating approximately 9.7 million jobs.

On these grounds, officials said that the EU Commission recognizes the economic importance of tourism as an export service and growth sector in contributing to the economic recovery. That is why the European Commission wants to strengthen the capacity of this sector to attract even more tourists, as this sector highly contributes to growth and employment in the European Union.

Continuous  efforts are now being made to increase the internal tourism flows but also to attract international tourists to visit Europe. Officials said this specific campaign addresses a number of countries identified as potential tourism providers for Europe mainly from the newly emerging economies such as, China, Brazil, and India.

EU-Digest

What Happened To The American Dream? - Careers Are Dead. Welcome To Your Low-Wage, Temp Work Future - by J. Maureen Henderson

According to the Economic Policy Institute, almost 30% of American workers are expected to hold low-wage jobs – defined as earnings at or below the poverty line to support a family of four – in 2020. This number will remain virtually unchanged from 2010. Given that roughly 50% of recent college grads are unemployed or underemployed and those who do work are much more likely to hold these types of jobs, this is a particular grim prospect for young workers hoping to leave these positions behind for greener career pastures.

And even if Millennial workers do manage to move from retail to the corporate world, there’s no guarantee that their office job will be on the career track. The number of temporary or contract positions was up 6% over last year’s numbers in the first quarter of 2012 according to the American Staffing Association. In fact, the number of temporary or contract jobs added to the economy has been increasing for nine consecutive quarters since the recession officially ended. Over 40% more people hold temp jobs now than in 2009. This growth starts to become something to worry about when temp jobs aren’t being converted to permanent ones and when contract work replaces full-time positions. As ASA CEO Richard Wahlquist put it when discussing the numbers: “Employers remain hesitant to add permanent employees due to uncertainty about the current strength of the economy and future economic conditions, including impending tax increases and spending cuts expected to take effect in January 2013. In times like these, businesses are being much more strategic in sourcing additional talent and maintaining work force flexibility.”

Read more: Careers Are Dead. Welcome To Your Low-Wage, Temp Work Future - Forbes