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Published on: 8/15/2008
Last Visited: 8/15/2008
"Mexico is California's number one inbound market, generating approximately $1.58 billion in spending, so declines in that market would have a major impact on our economy, including loss of jobs," said Caroline Beteta, president & CEO of the California Travel & Tourism Commission and chair of the Travel Industry Association."In my role as national chair for the Travel Industry Association, I'm also concerned about what impeding travel would mean to the U.S. travel industry and economy.Just a five percent decline in overnight visitation from Mexico would mean a loss of approximately 700,000 travelers and over $400 million in spending - with a disproportionate impact on America's border states."Mexican travel to the U.S. generates 26 percent of all overnight visitors to the U.S., making it the second largest inbound travel market (only slightly behind Canada).Travel from Mexico has grown by 35 percent since 2000 -- the most of any inbound market.Furthermore, for the fourth consecutive year, Mexican visitors spent record levels on travel in the United States -- totaling $9.6 billion in 2007."The increase in business and leisure travel from Mexico partially compensates for a decline of 2 million overseas visitors to the U.S. between 2000 and 2007," Beteta said.
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"Inbound international travel is a leading American 'export,' providing a $17.4 billion trade surplus in 2007," Beteta said.