The World Tourism Organization last week released the latest issue of the WTO World Tourism Barometer, where data for the first months of 2004 confirm the upward trend already visible at the end of 2003. The WTO says that with the detente of the major geopolitical tensions, in spite of uncertainty all over the world as proven by the recent terrorist attacks, there are signs that travel confidence is back.
The analysis shows that long-haul travel is finally picking up speed, particularly out of Europe. Furthermore, the 230 WTO experts polled from more than 100 countries and territories gave record ratings on the performance of January to April 2004 and prospects for the coming four months of May to August 2004. The WTO Barometer seeks to monitor the short-term evolution of tourism in order to provide the tourism sector with adequate and timely information. It is published in January, June and October.
The Barometer says that destinations in the Caribbean have kept up their very positive performance levels, enjoying the competitive advantage of a weak dollar and the search for known and nearby destinations in the North American generating markets, while North America?s figures continue to improve. Barometer highlights that for the Canadian and American markets, the Caribbean serves as a less expensive alternative to Europe, while for European source markets it offers good value, compensating for the longer distance to be traveled. Statistical analysis showed that almost all main destinations in the region posted positive results. In the early months of 2004, arrivals to Cuba were up 12%, while those to Bahamas and Jamaica had increased 9%. Puerto Rico reported a 6% first-quarter increase and the DR posted an 8% increase over January to May.
http://www.world-tourism.org/newsroom/Releases/2004/…