| Despite slight dip in international tourism arrivals, | | | | arrivals in 2006 posted strong numbers as well, with |
| international tourism revenues reach historic high, | | | | 6.52 million cruise passengers disembarking in Mexican |
| pointing to full recovery of the industry after Hurricane | | | | ports, down only 2.8 percent from 2005 despite |
| Wilma Despite Hurricane Wilma's lingering effect on | | | | damage sustained from Hurricane Wilma to such |
| room supply in the Mexican Caribbean in early 2006, | | | | leading cruise ports as Cozumel. These passengers |
| Mexico closed the year with historically high | | | | spent 458.3 million dollars in Mexico, compared with |
| international tourism revenues, pointing to a full | | | | 452.6 million the previous year. Some 1.95 million people |
| recovery of the industry. According to statistics | | | | were employed in the tourism sector by the end of |
| recently released by Mexico's Tourism Secretariat | | | | 2006, a significant increase from the 1.83 million people |
| (Sectur), Mexico received 21.35 million international | | | | employed by the end of 2005. "The figures posted in |
| visitors in 2006, a 2.6 percent dip in comparison with | | | | 2006 demonstrate that within a year of a devastating |
| 2005, due in part to reduced room availability in the | | | | hurricane, Mexico's tourism industry was already back |
| Mexican Caribbean stemming from damages | | | | to normal," said Mexico Tourism Secretary Rodolfo |
| sustained by several hotels during Hurricane Wilma in | | | | Elizondo. "This attests to a level of government |
| late 2005. Despite this, from April to December 2006, | | | | commitment and degree of coordination with private |
| international tourism arrivals for 2006 were above | | | | sector partners rarely seen in areas elsewhere in the |
| figures posted the year before in all but two months. | | | | world affected by similar tragedies. We expect 2007 |
| Thanks to more aggressive marketing to the affluent | | | | to be yet another successful year for our tourism |
| traveler in particular, however, revenue generated by | | | | industry, with increased growth across all segments, |
| these tourists reached a record high of US$12.18 billion, | | | | particularly among upscale travelers," he added. About |
| 3.2 percent higher than 2005's revenue of US$11.80 | | | | the Mexico Tourism Board The Mexico Tourism Board |
| billion. In 2004, Mexico's international tourism revenues | | | | (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and |
| had totaled US$10.84 billion. International visitors | | | | state governments, municipalities and private |
| (excluding border tourists) to Mexico were reported to | | | | companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions |
| have spent an average of US$710.30 per person per | | | | and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the |
| visit in 2006, representing a 4.7 percent increase from | | | | MTB is Mexico's tourism promotion agency, and its |
| 2005's US$678.40 average spend. Historically high | | | | participants include members of both the private and |
| international tourism revenues helped enable the | | | | public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North |
| tourism industry's trade balance to post an impressive | | | | America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. |
| US$4.07 billion surplus in 2006. Cruise ship passenger | | | | |