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