Spectacular scenery, fabulous beaches, exotic cuisine and great service from welcoming local people. It was a marriage made in heaven and local economies in the East began to build their resources. New hotels were erected, new resort facilities carved out of the landscape. Western tourism was a key element in lifting many countries out of poverty. Coming into this century, everything was looking on track for continuing growth and then a double whammy. The global recession hit. People in the West suddenly found their credit drying up as banks ran into trouble. Unemployment began to rise, and foreclosures marked the end of the housing bubble. People no longer had the same amount of disposable income to spend on holidays. Add to this the political troubles. Demonstrations shut the main airport into Thailand for a week. Terrorists attacked Mumbai. The war in Sri Lanka flared into new...  → More 6 Views