American Tourists to Portugal Up 20 Percent in 2007
For 2007, Portugal saw a 19.9 jump in American tourists, this comes on top of a 19% increase in 2006 over 2005. These big increases come at the exact time that the U.S. dollar has fallen to new lows against the euro
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 4, 2008 -- Portugal's National institute of Statistics (INE) has just released the tourism numbers of 2007. That year 23 million people visited Portugal, an increase of more than 5%. But the rise in American tourists went from 204,000 to 244,000 - the third largest increase by any single nation. French and Swiss visitors were up by 23 % and 28 % respectively.
This follows another large increase of American visitors in 2006 over 2005 of just under 20% - confirming a trend that American are coming to Portugal in much bigger numbers.
Portugal is the closest nation in continental Europe to the U.S. It is easy to get to, and represents one of the best values in Western Europe for the American traveler. The Portuguese National Tourism Office in New York City attributes this success to two main factors. In the last two years the number of direct flights to Portugal from the U.S. increased by 30%, as airlines have increased capacity to meet demand.
And as the dollar fell from near parity with the euro to around $1.60 to the euro, American travelers have seen that they can get more value in Portugal.
A new study by Hotels.com showed that the average room rate in Portugal was one of the lowest in Western Europe.
Just this year MSN Travel named Lisbon #1 among its top 10 Affordable European Cities. Sherman's Travel named Lisbon #3 on its list of "Top 10 Places to Go in 2008-Before the Crowds Do." Travel & Leisure cited Portugal as a destination that offers good value. The New York Times listed Lisbon as its #2 ranked place in its list of "53 Places to Go in 2008.″ And, the Yahoo Travel Guide said that Lisbon is the "last affordable European city and was our top mover in 2007."
According to Luis Moura, the new Managing Director of the Portuguese National Tourism Office in New York City, this is a turning point for Portuguese tourism. "The increase in visitors is tied to an increase in the quality of Portugal's tourism industry," he says. His team is poised to focus on the 100 new hotels and resorts due to open across Portugal in the next 2 years, and the world-class reputation for quality that Portuguese tourism has earned.
Moura is overseeing an approach that focus on specific markets, and matches unique Portuguese products and ideas with the right U.S. segments - all to build a stronger brand.
This is part of a new global marketing campaign that highlights Portugal as a modern, cosmopolitan and entrepreneurial country located on Europe's West Coast - an ideal place for creativity and relaxation.
Portugal has more than 300 miles of sandy beaches, and some of the best weather in Europe to enjoy them by. Golf is more than just a sport in Portugal; it is an experience, with dozen of championship courses, many following the sea. Portugal's cities are alive with culture, cuisine, and light.
The nation has more castles per capita than anywhere else in the world, popular forms of music, like the Fado that stretch back 1,000 years. It offers palatial manor houses welcoming the guest with all the elegance of 800 years of traditions.
Source:
http://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_destaques&DESTAQUESdest_boui=11014743&DESTAQUESmodo=2
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