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 Travel & Outdoors | May 2007 
Mexican Visitors to US Increased in 2006
 Travel Industry Association
| | According to the barometer, the top deterrent for travel to the U.S. is the implementation of the biometric passport. |
The Travel Industry Association’s most recent Travel Trade Barometer shows that fewer people from the United Kingdom and Germany visited the U.S. during 2006. However, inbound travel from Mexico fared better, with bookings and market share increasing above 2005 levels.
The barometer reported year-end bookings and travel demand 1 percent to 3 percent below 2005 levels for visitors from the U.K. to the U.S., with the outlook for the 2007 winter and spring seasons projected to remain flat as well.
Booking rates from German visitors were also flat during 2006, despite a 1 percent to 3 percent growth in the country’s overall outbound, long-term travel. According to the barometer, the top deterrent for travel to the U.S. is the implementation of the biometric passport. Biometric passports incorporate electronic fingerprints and images onto a digital chip that make them more difficult to counterfeit.
Of the three markets measured, Mexico continues to be the strongest performer, with year-end bookings growing 4 percent to 9 percent. That growth is projected to have continued into the first quarter of 2007, with bookings set to increase 1 percent to 3 percent. Second quarter 2007 bookings are also projected to be slightly higher compared to last year. An increased level of promotion by U.S. destinations is a probable motivator. |
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