Tourists down four per cent

A four per cent drop in the number of tourist arrivals was registered last year compared to the previous year, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

Total tourist expenditure decreased by 1.2 per cent despite a three per cent increase in per capita expenditure. Tourists last year spent a total of Lm422.4 million.

The NSO said departures of inbound tourists in 2006 are estimated at 1,124,233, compared to 1,170,610 a year before. This decrease mainly reflected fewer tourists from the United Kingdom, Germany and France. Tourists arriving from Italy, Russia and Denmark are estimated to have increased during the year.

The survey of tourists departing by air indicates a 3.9 per cent drop in total nights spent here last year.

Tourist departures in December are estimated at 46,483.