Business & Investment

Foreign trade is of vital importance to the economic development of Commonwealth countries. The countries' import needs are large and the imperative to increase exports is immediate. In order to finance those imports and also to reduce each country's dependence on foreign aid grants, the governments have been trying to enhance foreign exchange earnings through planned and increased exports. The significance of foreign trade to the economy is manifest in a number of facts and figures.

Some countries may have programmes designed to assist existing and start-up indigenous tourism businesses to develop the business skills and knowledge required to establish and run a commercially viable tourism operation.

To remain competitive, the business tourism industry must continue to provide a good balance of high quality facilities and services which are effectively marketed to key national and international audiences.

Few principal characteristics of Business Tourism may include:

* It is at the high quality, high yield end of the tourism spectrum 
* Many of the investments in a destination's infrastructure designed primarily for the business tourist (hotels, restaurants, amenities, etc) provide benefits which can be enjoyed by the leisure tourists
* Stimulates future inward investment as business people see the attractions of a destination while travelling on business or when attending a conference, exhibition, etc
* The higher quality of personal service demanded by the business tourist requires more labour-intensive service suppliers, which in turn translates into higher levels of job creation

This section will assist in outlining the Commonwealth members on progressive trade and investment policies that will enable investors to engage in fair, equitable global trade in promoting the tourism trade & investment industry across the Commonwealth.

Discussing each Commonwealth members' national tourism trade focuses and investment issues within this industry, CTC is designed to help Commonwealth members with a communication platform to critically evaluate strategic plans.