World tourism has undergone significant changes over the past few years. While these are in large part attributable to external factors - such as the economic and political situation, environmental issues, terrorist attacks and safety and health scares - many of them in fact stem from the changing consumer, as a result of demographic shifts and lifestyle changes. 'One of the most critical developments, for example,' to quote Rob Franklin, Executive Director of the European Travel Commission (ETC), 'is the ageing of the population in key source markets, which has already had - and will continue to have - a major impact on travel and tourism demand.'

World tourism has undergone significant changes over the past few years. While these are in large part attributable to external factors - such as the economic and political situation, environmental issues, terrorist attacks and safety and health scares - many of them in fact stem from the changing consumer, as a result of demographic shifts and lifestyle changes. 'One of the most critical developments, for example,' to quote Rob Franklin, Executive Director of the European Travel Commission (ETC), 'is the ageing of the population in key source markets, which has already had - and will continue to have - a major impact on travel and tourism demand.'