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