The year 2001 was a landmark in the history of the global tourism industry yet unfortunately it achieved that status for all the wrong reasons.

Numerous factors - including the strength of the US dollar, the outbreak of foot-and-mouth in the UK, an economic slowdown, internal restructuring across the sector and the worsening Israeli-Palestinian situation - had already tempered expectations of growth in many destinations.

However, the impact of September 11th on the propensity to travel worldwide forced many to revise their short- and medium-term projections, as the widely-heralded trend towards increased long-haul travel in a shrinking world was replaced instead by a more intra-regional picture.

The year 2001 was a landmark in the history of the global tourism industry yet unfortunately it achieved that status for all the wrong reasons.

Numerous factors - including the strength of the US dollar, the outbreak of foot-and-mouth in the UK, an economic slowdown, internal restructuring across the sector and the worsening Israeli-Palestinian situation - had already tempered expectations of growth in many destinations.

However, the impact of September 11th on the propensity to travel worldwide forced many to revise their short- and medium-term projections, as the widely-heralded trend towards increased long-haul travel in a shrinking world was replaced instead by a more intra-regional picture.

With the help of Mintel's partners at World Travel Market and its Global Media Network, this report examines the current state of the local tourism infrastructure in selected destinations and provides a valuable insight into their recent and future performance.

The industry has been forced to adapt its approach to the way it reactivates, collaborates and stimulates the travel markets. Prices, visitor motivation, trip duration and spending habits have all been affected.

Key market dynamics have changed and new promotional strategies are being implemented as destinations strive to increase market share. One year on, the future still appears challenging as the industry continues to reach for recovery.