Marketing Department of Atlanta Tourist Board in Italy - Case Study Example

The recent terrorist attacks in the last 3 decades have brought turmoil in the current travel and tourism industry bringing a severe collapse in the travel and tourism sector worldwide. The first of these atrocities took place in 1982 during the Iraq affair and the oil crisis. The international tourism industry greatly suffered during those years of severe political unrest. The next unfortunate event was the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in northern Europe in the year 2001. Umpteen numbers of bookings for the trips to Europe were dismissed. Another heinous act that took place on 11th September 2001 was the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. The aftermaths of the terrifying incident revealed the crumble of the international tour and travel for a long time. The year 2002 revealed an intensive respiratory syndrome epidemic due to air travel (Mangili & Gendreau, 2005). Air travel is capable of spreading newly budding contagions which could even give rise to pandemics. The travel and tourism industry worldwide experienced a setback again. The next plan of a brutal act of the terrorists who were caught carrying liquid explosives on 10th August 2006 in flight from the United Kingdom which could have destroyed tolls of innocent lives was terminated. The travel and tourism industry has yet again undergone a tremendous shock. According to World Trade Organization, 2003, the international tourism arrivals and the worldwide tourism earnings dropped by 0.6% and 5.2% respectively (Evaluation of Promotional Methods in Tourism in County Clare, 2004).
It is true that the international travel and tourism industry is presently facing a turbulent environment. However, it is certain from the ever-adventurous tourists from around the globe and their impeccable passion for travel that worldwide international travel and tourism is doubtlessly to overcome this temporary challenge. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the business leaders’ forum for travel and tourism is presently working with governments to spread consciousness of the economic magnitude of the globe’s prevalent creator of prosperity and service (Travel & Tourism Security Action Plan, n.d.).

Political Unrest
Political unrest among different nations still has adverse effects on international travel and tourism especially on the countries involved. War at the moment would be the last thing that the travel and tourism industry would wish for. Tourists never wish to select a destination that is suffering from any sort of political disturbances. One would have never chosen a destination like when the American soldiers faced the Taliban groups.

Lack of Government Contribution
Deficiency in the support of the respective governments of every country in aiding to develop and sustain its travel and travel sector offers a great business conflict.