The slump in the tourist industry has cost 6.6 million jobs, about one in 12 employees, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The industry had been expected to recover last year following a dismal 2001, when it was hit by a global economic slowdown and fears about travelling following September 11.

Juan Somavia, director-general of the ILO, said: "The expected recovery of the tourism industry in 2002 simply did not occur."

However, there was better news from the World Tourism Organisation, which said 2002 had 3.1 per cent more international tourists than 2001.

Its figures also indicated a surge in domestic tourism and a growth in shorter trips.

Airports operator BAA had previously reported a year-on-year 5.1 per cent decline in the number of passengers using Gatwick, despite an 3.9 per cent increase across its airports.

Tourism is a key industry in the South-East, generating almost £3 billion a year and supporting more than 100,000 jobs.