Global tourism

Over the last three decades, global tourism has been one of the fasted growing business fields. Interrupted by only two sharp, but short-lived crises -the first Iraq war in 1991 and the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington in 2001- global tourism has grown steadily since 1980. A wide range of factors has contributed to this development: Politically, globalization and the liberalization of visa regimes between e. g. the United States and the European Union. On a more personal level, a higher life expectancy and shorter annual work hours in most Western countries, giving tourists more time to travel and explore the world. In our travel guide you will find more informations. Alongside the hospitality industry, many related businesses have profited from this boom, such as airlines and tour operators. The package holidays offered by tour operators have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they greatly facilitate holiday planing and allow for lower prices, notably for vacation rentals of hotel accomodation and cars. The global tourism industry grew by an average 7 percent between 2004 and 2007, and by 2 percent in 2008, when it served a record 924 million tourists. However, tourism will not be unaffected by the global economic downturn. For 2009, the World Tourism Organization in Madrid expects either stagnation or a modest decline of global returns by 2 percent, with markets in North America and Europe in sharper retraction.

Hepatitis C - Risc for the Liver in Travel Health

Hepatitis C is a disease caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and affects the liver. The virus is transmitted from human to human through several means including tattoos/body piercings, medical/dental procedures, blood transfusions and shared needles. It is not usually transmitted through sexual contact though some risk still does exist. If left untreated, (chronic) Hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. An estimated 170 million people around the world have been infected with HCV. Eqypt has the highest prevalency rate (>15%) while countries in Africa and Asia account for an additional 15% of the infected population. Among travelers, the sharing of drug paraphenalia (needles/syringes), tattooing/piercings and medical procedures account for the greatest number of HCV infections.