G20 Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors to Meet Wednesday

G20 Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors to Meet Wednesday
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G20 Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors to Meet Wednesday

G20 Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors to Meet Wednesday

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors will meet under the Saudi G20 Presidency on Wednesday to continue to discuss and take urgent actions to address the global challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, a statement released by the G20 Saudi Secretariat said.

"Given the circumstances, G20 meetings are currently held virtually, and more frequently, as G20 member countries take urgent measures to provide support to people and businesses, safeguard the stability of the global economy and financial markets, restore confidence, and prevent deep and prolonged negative economic impacts," said the statement.

Traditionally, the April G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting is held in Washington D.C. on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Spring Meetings, it said.

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Jadaan and Dr. Ahmed Alkholifey, Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, will hold a press conference after Wednesday's meeting to highlight its outcomes, including the progress on implementing the pledges made by the G20 leaders at their extraordinary virtual summit last month, it added.

During their last meeting, the G20 Finance Ministers agreed during a conference call to prepare a common strategy to overcome the coronavirus crisis.



Travel Industry to Contribute Record $11 Trillion to Global GDP in 2024

Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)
Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)
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Travel Industry to Contribute Record $11 Trillion to Global GDP in 2024

Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)
Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)

A record $1 out of every $10 spent globally in 2024 will be on travel as people briskly book hotels, cruises and flights, according to an annual report by the World Travel and Tourism Council, a non-profit membership organization.

The travel and tourism industry's contribution to global gross domestic product is expected to reach new heights as consumers increasingly see travel as an essential part of their budgets.

The WTTC estimates the industry's contribution to global GDP in 2024 will increase 12.1% year-over-year to $11.1 trillion, making up 10% of global GDP. This represents about a 7.5% increase from the previous record set in 2019.

"Despite some concerns last year about us going into a global recession and high inflation, this year we are looking at travel and tourism being a real economic powerhouse globally," said Julia Simpson, CEO of the non-profit organization.

Travel spending in the US, Chinese and German economies is expected to contribute the most to GDP.

The sector is expected to support nearly 348 million jobs in 2024, or 13.6 million jobs more than in 2019, the previous record prior to the pandemic. The industry is still hiring to fill jobs in the rapidly expanding field.

In the United States, there are currently 1 million job openings across the leisure and hospitality industry, according to the US Travel Association. Total employment supported in the US was about 27 million jobs in 2023, according to the WTTC.