Tourism is one of the growing industries around the world. It has
grown from $26 billion in 1986 to $90 billion in 1996 (Doggett,
1998). It is the world’s largest industry, with approximately $3.8 trillion
in gross output in 1997 and is expected to reach 7.1 trillion by the
year 2007. Travel and tourism industry produces more than ten percent
of the world’s Gross National Product. It is the leading producer
of tax revenues and employs approximately 260 million people or ten
percent of the global workforce (Walker, 1999). The travel and tourism
industry continues to contribute to the US economy and has
grown nearly 250% (Doggett, 1998).