Venezuela's Q1 2003 tourism dropped 60% compared to 2002

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, June 06, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The Venezuela National Statistics Office (INE)  reports that the number of tourists has dropped 60.7% in Q1 2003 compared to the same period in 2002. 

As result of the drop the entry of foreign currency from the tourist trade dipped 66.9%. The INE report says the average of days stayed in Q1 was cut almost 14% while the average night stayed went down 2% which boils down to a 15.6% drop in an average cost of staying. 

In general, the report says accommodation dropped a mighty 69.9% compared to the same period last year. 

• 7 of 10 European tourists dropped off coming to Venezuela more than any other group. 

As for Venezuelans themselves, there was a 35.7% drop in the number of persons traveling abroad causing a 15.8% drop in the exit of foreign currency.