Travel News Daily reported yesterday that the travel and tourism industry is confident 2010 will see it start its recovery from the global downturn, according to a poll of World Travel Market's Meridian Club, the business club for the travel industry's most senior buyers.

The travel and tourism industry suffered in 2009 due to the worldwide economic downturn. Prior to the downturn the industry was expected to grow by 4% in 2009, according to research by Euromonitor International unveiled at World Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry.

However, the industry shrank in 2009 with the World Travel & Tourism Council stating the industry's global Gross Domestic Product decreased by 3.6%.  Confidence though is returning to the industry with a massive 84% of WTM's Meridian Club stating they are optimistic for the prospects of the industry's in 2010.

Furthermore, more than six out of ten of the 659 senior buyers surveyed say the industry will perform better in 2010 than in 2009, with a further 33% believing the industry performance will be on a par with last year.

Only 6% fear 2010 will see the industry perform worse than it did last year. One Meridian Club member said: "I believe 2010 will be better than 2009. Early bookings are coming in and business is moving."

Meridian Club Marketing Manager Mark Jakobsen added: "It is great news for the industry that it's most senior buyers expect it to bounce back this year. "The global financial downturn has had a significant impact on a number of industries including travel and tourism. Consumer confidence is starting to recover and Meridian Club members say this is reflected in bookings so far in 2010 and are confident this will continue throughout the year."

Editors comments: I love it when industry leaders talk tourism up, I know sometimes it's just wishful thinking but I also believe in the power of 'affirmations'. If you think it will happen, then you can make it happen.  So come on everybody, repeat after me "Port Douglas will do much more business in 2010 than it did in 2009"....I can feel it improving already !